Plains Rangers had that winning feeling this weekend.
On Saturday Rangers men travelled to play Papamoa Rovers on a very breezy Gordon Spratt Reserve. Rangers had the breeze at their backs in the first half and spent a lot of time in their hosts' territory. Rangers nearly got off to a flying start when Elijah Wetting, making his first start on the field in quite a while, hit the post in the first attack. Rangers were then given a fright when Papamoa raced down the other end and sent a shot narrowly wide. The game then settled into a pattern of Rangers moving the ball around well, pinning Papamoa back but without making those final goal-making links. Midway through the half, Ben McPherson had a shot well saved. Ten minutes before the break Rangers keeper Christian Wetting showed how to be focused on the job despite rarely being in the play. He pulled off a fine save to deny a strong shot following a rare Papamoa break out. Rangers began to get frustrated with their lack of success in front of goal, but in the 45th minute, Elijah Wetting passed the ball infield to his younger brother Kobi. He looked up and blasted a missile of a shot 30m into the goal with the despairing Papamoa keeper getting fingertips to it but being unable to keep it out. Rangers led 1 – 0 at half time.
In the second half Rangers made better inroads towards the opponents' goal, but their goalkeeper in particular was proving a hard person to beat. Hamish Wilde picked out Jesse Meadows with a good cross, but his close-range header was well saved. Jordan Hoete went close with an overhead kick. Elias Thomas went on a brilliant solo run, beating several players and feeding Alex Boyce who had the bad luck to hit the crossbar. A Papamoa defender gave away to free-kick in the aftermath, and captain James Hart took the kick quickly, catching out the home team to score. Rangers managed the game for the final ten minutes, to make sure the home team didn't get a goal back. The final score: Papamoa Rovers 0, Plains Rangers 2.
Kobi Wetting was named player of the day for providing the catalyst for the win, which takes Rangers up to third on the table. This Saturday Rangers are back at home, entertaining Taupo Lakers. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2.30pm.
On Sunday Rangers women had fine sunny conditions for their home game against Otumoetai. Rangers welcomed back Dani Howard for her first game of the season. The teams were evenly matched, with Rangers having decent spells of domination. Rangers moved the ball around well and found good space to move and pass into. Half an hour into the game, Rangers hit the front. Hard-working Sarah Sheaff sent in a beautiful cross-shot into the goal. That proved to be the only goal of the game, with Rangers women beating Otumoetai 1 – 0.
Sarah Sheaff earned player of the day, grabbing the win for her team. Others to shine included Olivia Rossouw, who put in a fine shift in centre midfield and Sarah Wigzell, who played intelligently out from the back. The game was well refereed by Dave Taylor. This Sunday Rangers women are away to Wahine Toa in Te Puke.

Ranee's report:
Us vs Otumoetai , 1-0

Great sunny for a great game of soccer.
Welcome back to the field Dani.
Was a very evenly matched game today on both sides however we had lots of time where we were dominating the game. Once again, a great game of pacing the ball around the field and creating space to pass and move into. You all did lots and lots of work on the field today and played with your whole hearts and the proof was in the score.
Well done Dani on playing your first game of the season after having Brodi.
Olivia nice work in the centre mids today, I think I saw you playing everywhere on the field and just getting into everything and just plain wanting that ball first.
Sarah Wigzell nice work in the back line, was a tough game however you play wisely and played some nice passes.
Player of the day goes to our goal scorer, well done Sarah S, you did so much work on the wing and so much running, and it all paid off with a beautiful cross ball into the goal, well done.
Once again ref Dave was in fine form with his whistle and cards.
Well done ladies on today efforts and a great win for us as well.

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