Plains Rangers travelled to play Rotorua United in BOP division one on Saturday. The weather conditions eased off for a pleasant afternoon's play. Despite starting the game without late arriving player-coach Christian Wetting, Rangers began well, stringing some good moves together and defending solidly. After fifteen minutes Jason Pullar put a nice pass through for Husnul Gray to run on to, but his shot was well saved. On the half hour an excellent team move saw Rangers go in front. Left back Sam Christieson fed Ronan Mitchell who squared the ball to Petir Gary. Gray ran into the box and pulled it back for Andy Willis, whose shot went in off a defender. However, Rangers rested on their laurels a bit and conceded twice. The first a lobbed shot that keeper Matt Eveleens couldn't quite keep out, and the second a well-struck header.
Christian Wetting came on, into the midfield after the break and made a good impact. The Rotorua keeper pulled off an excellent save to tip Wetting's dipping strike from twenty metres over the bar. Rangers pressed the home team more and created several chances. Wetting and Husnul Gray both went close, but Rotorua hung onto their lead to win the game 2 – 1.
Ronan Mitchell's energetic work at left half earned him player of the day.
This weekend Rangers men are away to Te Puke in their second last game of the season.
Rangers women had a bye in the knock out cup on Sunday and will be keen to know who they get in the next round this coming Sunday.

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