It was a good weekend for the Plains Rangers Football Club. On Saturday Plains Rangers men were at home to unbeaten AFC Fury in BOP division two.  With several changes to the team line-up, Rangers’ first priority was to get the team structure playing well. The midfield pairing of Hamish Wilde and Tiemen Corporaal settled into their jobs quickly and the team got some flowing moves going. Striker Jaiden Ibbetson was getting into some threatening positions. After twenty minutes, Rangers hit the front. Captain Ben McPherson received the ball twenty metres from goal, he wriggled free of two defenders and hit a great shot on the turn with his left foot past the keeper. Rangers continued to have the upper hand for the rest of the half.
In the second half Fury threw caution to the wind in the search of an equaliser. However, Rangers held their defensive shape very well and behind them player-coach Christian Wetting was in commanding form in goal. Late in the game Wetting pulled off a game winning save, colliding with the post but keeping out a goal bound close quarters shot. The final score was Plains Rangers 1, AFC Fury 0.
The game was played in good spirit by both teams. Ben McPherson was named player of the day, others to shine included Sam McPherson and the midfield duo. This Saturday Rangers have a local derby at Whakatane. An early kick off of 12.30pm is scheduled.
On Sunday, Alignments Plus Plains Rangers women were at home to Tauranga City. Rangers started very strongly and could have grabbed the lead, with Jenny McIntyre going close. What ensued was a hard fought but good spirited battle between two evenly matched teams. Rangers defence, led by Ranee Whiting, was strong. In the end, the game was a 0 – 0 draw. The sound all round effort saw player of the day honours shared by the team.
This Sunday Rangers women are away to Papamoa.