Plains Rangers men ended up with a bonus home game on Saturday, after opponents Omokoroa Fury's pitch was severely vandalised during the week.
Rangers made a flying start to the game, scoring in the first minute. Some good passing led to left winger Levi McIntyre squaring the ball across to his fellow youthful speedster on the right, Elijah Wetting, to blast home from close range. The visitors found the going tough as Rangers' team game had clicked in early and another goal soon followed. Hamish Wilde swung in a cross, James Hart headed it across goal and Phil Ballingall raced in to head it home. Rangers kept up the pressure and after twenty minutes they were three up. A Rangers corner went through a sea of players and the ball popped out for Ballingall to steer home through the mass of bodies. From this point the quality of the home team's play lessened a bit as the scoreline, the soft pitch and the style of play of Omokoroa took their effect. Rangers were given a fright on the half hour when a firmly hit shot from a Fury player squeezed under the diving body of Rangers' stand-in keeper to bring the score to 3 – 1 at half time.
In the second half Rangers tried to get their play flowing again and, while they were the dominant team, the visitors also raised their game and competed hard. Finally, after thirty minutes, Rangers confirmed the win when a Wilde corner was headed in powerfully at the far post by Hart. A final flourish saw Rangers get the ball in the net again, only for it to be denied by the offside flag. The final score was Plains Rangers 4, Omokoroa Fury 1.
Phil Ballingall was named player of the day for his typically hard-working effort, which earned him two well taken goals. Others to impress included the centre midfield duo of Hart and Wilde and young substitute Kobi Wetting. This Saturday Rangers men have a massive fixture. It is the last round of the league before it is broken up into final groups. Third-placed Rangers will host unbeaten league leaders Papamoa United. Seven teams are in contention for making the top four group and six of them are, by chance, playing other fellow contenders in this make-or-break round. Kick off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2 pm.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women were at home to Papamoa Legends. Rangers were pleased to have enough numbers to have three on the bench for the game. Rangers defended stoutly against their higher ranked visitors and held them out for twenty minutes. Papamoa eventually broke through and led 4 – 0 at half time. Rangers got their combinations flowing better in the second half. More movement and quicker shutting down of Papamoa's play helped to even out the game. The final score was 6 – 0 to Papamoa.
Julie Reihana was named player of the day for Rangers. She turned in a typically tenacious game and made life difficult for her opponents. Others to impress were Danielle Haldane, who played well in centre midfield and Dani Howard and Sarah Wigzell, who both put their bodies on the line in defence. This week Rangers women are away to Otumoetai.

Ranee's report:

Us VS Papamoa Legends, 0 - 6
Well, I must say it was nice to have three subs today ladies.
Great game played by all; the wind didn't help us much. Our passing game is getting strong. We just need to make sure all our passes count and stopping of the ball as well. The first half we spent a lot of time playing in our own half. However, we did hold them out for 20 minutes before they got a goal. We had few moments where we watched the ball hoping it would come to us, next time we won't wait for the ball we will move to the ball. The second half was a better half, our play was flowing more, we moved more and shut down their play faster.
Danielle Haldane magnificent work in the centre mids today finding that space and passing/moving to those spots.
Dani Howard great game in the back line and putting your body on the line as well.
Sarah Wigzell great game today. Hope the tummy not too sore after the ball to it.
Player of the day goes to Julie Reihana. Once again another great game, you were in the action all the time and not letting them get away with the ball.
See you all at training Wednesday night.

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