Plains Rangers had a great weekend, with both its men's and women's teams having impressive wins.
Plains Rangers men and visiting Papamoa United were up for a gigantic clash in the final full round of BOP Division Two on Saturday. Third placed Rangers wanted to extend their seven game winning streak, while league leaders Papamoa had been unbeaten all season. The visitors started strongly and for the first ten minutes they put pressure on the Rangers defence. However, the home team weathered the storm and got their passing game going to gain the better share of possession. Midway through the half, the chances started to appear. Captain James Hart found some space in the midfield and his trusty left footed shot bounced off the crossbar. Soon thereafter though, Hart again found space, cutting inside then outside and hit another shot from twenty metres. This time it took a deflection off a defender and beat the very capable Papamoa goalkeeper. At half time Rangers led 1 – 0.
After the break Papamoa renewed their efforts to get an equaliser, but good team play from Rangers limited their chances. In desperation, with twenty minutes to go, the Papamoa goalkeeper came out of goal to use his considerable skills to try and open Rangers up. This almost paid off when a well-struck free kick bounced off the home team's crossbar and the rebound was shot against the post! Rangers came back through their tearaway striker Sione Lotu. Lotu won the ball in midfield after a goal kick and then headed for goal, beating two defenders and the advancing replacement keeper to blast the ball into the net. The big crowd of Rangers supporters on the sideline erupted! The game wasn't over though, Papamoa kept at their work and a good move from defence through the midfield to the ex-goalkeeper ended with him placing a great shot into the far corner of Rangers goal. There were a nervous last few minutes for Rangers, but they kept their composure to deservedly take the win 2 – 1.
Coach Christian Wetting would be well pleased with the whole team performance, including from the substitutes bench. So much so, that he named Peter Kirkbride player of the day for his work in managing the team and its line-up from the sideline.
The win consolidates third place for Rangers and puts Papamoa United's lead in jeopardy, because second placed Otumoetai Special reserve still have a game to play, against Whakatane Town. It seems the division is about to be split into four groups for a final round of three games, with points being carried through.
(The draw has not come out yet, so any games this weekend are unknown at the moment).
On Sunday Plains Rangers women travelled to play Otumoetai. Rangers got their passing game going early on and had reward after fifteen minutes. A cross came in and striker Lexi Pullar hit it first time for a cracker of a goal. Rangers were calm in their play and launched a series of attacks on their hosts. Further success came on the half hour, Danielle Haldane made a run through the centre midfield and hit a left footed shot from the edge of the box to double the score. At half time Rangers led 2 – 0.
After the break Otumoetai worked hard to get a goal back, but the tactic of putting long balls into the Rangers defence was well dealt with. Centre defender Dani Howard made some timely tackles too and wasn't afraid to put her body on the line. Rangers kept working away and made a lot of progress feeding the right wing where Tayla Jones made some fine runs. In the midfield Amie Morris controlled a lot of the play, spreading the passes around and making some strong runs herself. The home team also had their chances and midway through the half Rangers keeper Tracey Meaclem had to make a brilliant save with her feet to keep out a close-range shot. The game ended with the score still 2 – 0 to Rangers, a deserved win.
Player of the day was Danielle Haldane for her strong work in the midfield.
This Sunday Plains Rangers women are at home to Te Puke.

Ranee's report:
Us VS Otumoetai, 2-0
Well the weather held out for a fantastic game of soccer today.
Well done ladies on a great passing game today, it was great to see it and the fact that we got the ball up, down, across, in, out the field.
Otumoetai was having a ping pong game and when we got the ball off them we brought it down and played our passing game, nice work. That first half was a great half, well both half were great and getting 2 goals, well done to the scorers, and once again lots of shots on goal. We didn't let their pushing stop us we gave back to what they gave us and no backing down for balls either.
Lots of talking on the field as well today.
Tayla Jones great game on the wing today, nice work.
Dani Howard mate the amount of hits you took, you just got back up and kept on playing today nice work today Dani.
Amie Morris nice work in the centre mids today, in the right spots for receiving and passing and having shots too.
Special thanks to Katie Peterson for making it to the game via Rotorua!
Player of the day goes to Danielle Haldane you had an amazing game, you do every week. You were amongst it all and putting players on their butts!
Awesome work today ladies. See you all at training Wednesday night.

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