Plains Rangers were pleased to get their season underway at the weekend.
On Saturday SLH Contracting Plains Rangers men's team travelled to meet Otumoetai at a sunny Fergusson Park. The home team started well and gave Rangers a couple of scares in the first ten minutes. However, Rangers settled down and started controlling a fair amount of the play. After twenty minutes Rangers opened the scoring. Jordan Ogilvy made an overlapping run down the left and put it an excellent cross and striker Jaiden Ibbetson headed it into the goal. Just before half time, Petir Gray threaded a neat ball through the defence for Ibbetson who scored neatly.
Rangers continued to do well in the second half, but also managed to give the good number of substitutes some game time. With fifteen minutes to go, the home team got a sniff, when they bundled the ball in after some good work down their left wing. However Rangers deservedly hung on for a 2 – 1 win.
New season captain James Hart was named player of the day for his steadying influence and calm play. Others to shine included Ogilvy, Matt Dalgity and Jamaal James.
This Saturday Rangers men host Whakatane Town at Awakeri, with a 2.30pm kick off.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women, with a lot of new faces, also travelled to play Otumoetai. Otumoetai haven't had a women's team for several years, but the majority of the team were from last year's second placed Old Blues side, which now doesn't have a team in the BOP league. In breezy conditions, Otumoetai got out to a six goal lead at half time and went on to win comfortably. For Rangers, Tracy Pullar earned player of the day with many good saves in goal. Janie Soutar also impressed with her good work in the midfield and on the wing. For many of the Rangers players it was their first taste of senior football and they did well putting some good passes together and competing in good spirit.
This Sunday, Rangers women are at home to last year's champions Rotorua United Green. It will be another tough assignment.