Plains Rangers got a taste of silverware on the weekend.
On Saturday SLH Contracting Plains Rangers men were at home to Whakatane Town in BOP division two, a game that doubled as a Sponsors Cup challenge. The damp conditions kept the game at a lively pace. Rangers used their speed to advantage and moved the ball quickly, creating a number of chances, but the Whakatane defence and good keeping from Johnno Smith kept Rangers out. Whakatane themselves passed the ball around well too and the game was locked at nil all at the break.
The home team came out firing after the break and launched a blitz on the Whakatane goal. Isaac Jones got back to clear the ball off the Whakatane line after a Jaiden Ibbetson effort. Ben McPherson had a shot well saved. Rangers captain James Hart hit the crossbar from a free kick. Petir Gray had a shot saved, but Whakatane held grimly on. As both teams tired later in the game the chances diminished and a 0 – 0 draw was the final result of the league game. The Sponsors Cup was settled with a penalty shoot out. Rangers scored their penalties and their keeper Christian Wetting brilliantly saved two of the Whakatane penalties to earn his team the trophy for the first time.
Rangers player of the day was centre back Matt Dalgity, who did his job with aplomb. Rangers men's next game is on Monday of the coming long weekend, with a 2pm kick off at Te Puke.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women were at home to last year's champions Rotorua United Green. In a much improved display from the previous week, Rangers went down 13 – 1. Tracy Pullar put in a fine effort in goal again, making some nice saves. The young ones up front: Holly Klinac, Katelin Lane and Cassidy Rae Spillman worked hard. The player of the day went to Mikaela-Kevin Mathis, who tackled hard and cleared the ball well. Rangers got on the score board when Libby Shove was fouled in the penalty area and Ranee Whiting stepped up to put away the penalty.
Rangers women have the long weekend off.