It was a very good weekend for the Plains Rangers football club.
On Saturday Rangers men travelled to play Tauranga City Les Bleus. Rangers had the better of the play in the first half, but it took half an hour before they converted one of their chances. Levi McIntyre ran with the ball in midfield before slipping it to player-coach Christian Wetting, who fired a great shot from 30m over the despairing arms of the keeper. At half time it was 1 – 0.
Early in the second half a good passing move involving McIntyre and Kobi Wetting ended with McIntyre squaring the ball to Russell Margan, who sidefooted it home from close range. Tauranga City played some nice football but were unable to make much headway against the strong Rangers defence. Late in the game Rangers added the icing to the cake when substitute Chris Butler laid the ball off to Hamish Wilde who hit a great volley into the goal from outside the box. The final score was Tauranga City Les Bleus 0, Plains Rangers men 3.
Russell Margan was named player of the day, in a good all round team performance.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women were at home to Otumoetai. Rangers have really developed their passing game this year and had the better share of possession throughout the game. Thirty minutes in, Rangers hit the front with a spectacular goal. Centre-back Tayla Jones played the ball to Jamie Stanton who chipped it to striker Stevie Clarke. Clarke fired a terrific volley from 35m into the visitors' goal. Five minutes later Katie Peterson played a pass through to Clarke who beat the keeper with a delicate shot. The rain came down and Otumoetai got some reward for their efforts with a well worked goal on the stroke of half time. Five minutes into the second half Clarke scored again, with a superb shot on the turn to complete her hat-trick. Rangers made the game safe shortly afterwards when Peterson got in on goal. The game was played out in good spirit by both teams, with the final score Plains Rangers 4, Otumoetai 1.
Shannon Frost was named player of the day for her efforts on the wing and up front. Others to impress included the deadly striker Stevie Clarke, winger Alexaan-Kelly Puutu Dredge, who put in some fine crosses, Amie Morris in the midfield and defenders Lexi Pullar and Chloe Burgess.
There are no games scheduled for this coming long weekend. The following weekend sees the men renewing their rivalry with Papamoa Old Boys, with Rangers at home. Rangers women are away to Te Puke.

Ranee's report:
Us vs Otumoetai, 4 - 1

Well what a game ladies, proud of you today. It was a tough game but you all hang in there till the end and look at the result we got.
From sun to rain to wind to Barrie going on the field to pick up dog poop, to Katie Peterson trying to knock opposition over but falling over herself, we had it all!
Our passing today ladies was the best I've seen so far. You were knocking it around their players like nobody's business. It was great to watch and nice through balls happening as well.
Thank you Jamie Stanton for taking a couple of hours off work to come play today.
Well done to Stevie Clarke for getting a hat-trick of goals today and Katie for your goal as well.
Alexaan-Kelly Puutu Dredge you had an awesome game in mids and wing. Your speed, your passing, your attacking... it was great to watch.
Amie Morris you had a great game today passing and moving that ball around in the mid field, and if I remember correctly you had a couple of shots on goal as well.
Lexi Pullar you had a good game in the back line, taking the ball wide and getting it up the line today.
Chloe Burgess you also had a great game in the centre backs from being first to the ball to doing great stops and defending that line well.
Player of the day goes to Shannon Frost today. You had a great game on the wing, from your passing to attacking and your run with the ball up the line was great to watch. What made it great to watch was laughing at the Otumoetai player trying to push you off the ball. You never gave up. Well done Shannon.
Thank you for today ladies. See you all at training Wednesday night.

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