One team would be happier than the other as Plains Rangers battled their way to draws at the weekend.
On Saturday Plains Rangers men travelled to play Kawerau in BOP division two. The young Kawerau team had a dream start, pouncing on some Rangers errors to score a well taken goal in the opening minutes. Missing a few regular players, Rangers struggled to get their game together in the first half and the home team made an even game of it. Late in the half, a Rangers striker was upended and a penalty awarded. Grahame Sims converted it well to make the score 1 – 1.
Rangers put it together better in the second half. Kawerau used the rolling subs rule to advantage, keeping fresh legs on the field with regular substitutions. Rangers' best chance for the winner was a free kick awarded not far from goal but it went over the top of the wall and the goal. Kawerau also created a couple of late chances that were scrambled away. In the end, the 1 – 1 score line was probably a fair one, with Kawerau pleased to gain their first point of the season.
Rangers' best were player of the day Grahame Sims and Kirk Bain who both marshalled the defence well.
This Saturday Rangers are at home to Papamoa, desperately hoping for a win that will give them a chance of being in the top six before the league is split.
On Sunday Alignments Plus Ltd Plains Rangers women were at home to Tauranga City in the Federation Plate. Rangers started well with several attacks, but City came back into the game and got a better share of possession for a while. However, Rangers' defence was solid and keeper Kate Robbie was commanding her goal area. In the second half Rangers put together some good passages of play and came very close to grabbing a winner, with a shot from Shirley Patterson bouncing back off the crossbar. Even after losing a couple of players to injury, Rangers held on well and Tauranga were frustrated with the final score. Plains Rangers 0, Tauranga City 0.
The hard working Kathryn de Bruin was named player of the day. Others to impress included Gillian Green and Julie Reihana.
This Sunday Rangers women are away to Te Puke.