Plains Rangers women were at home to Otumoetai on Sunday, hoping to repeat their victory from the first round. Rangers started off with a hiss and a roar and the lively Megan Wait went close twice, the second attempt unluckily bouncing off the post. The visitors however hit the front after ten minutes. A strong tackle won the ball in the midfield and striker Georgia MacLean was put through the Rangers defence to score a well-taken goal. The game settled into an even contest with Rangers getting the ball to the wings for crosses, while Otumoetai relied on the through ball. After twenty minutes Gemma Stuckey made a good run for Rangers and Mariah Pepper put the cross just wide. Sarah Sinkinson was making some great runs down the right and also went close with a couple of chances. At half time, the visitors had their noses in front 1 – 0.
Rangers came out in the second half determined to succeed. Ten minutes in, a lovely ball from Dee Haldane put Stuckey through the defence and she scored a fine goal, to the joy of the home spectators. Rangers did have the better of the play and kept the pressure on, winning corners and creating half-chances. Ella-Rose Bain did some great tidy-up work in defence when the visitors looked to break out. Her fellow centre defender Lucy Cox-Ellison also made a crucial tackle late in the half, after ex-Whakatane player Naomi Christie put her striker through, but Cox-Ellison chased her down to stop the likely winning goal attempt.
The final score was a 1 – 1 draw, probably frustrating both teams, but proving the importance of taking your chances and defending soundly. Sarah Sinkinson's great wing play saw her named player of the day for Rangers.
This Sunday Rangers women are away to Waiariki in Rotorua, while on the Saturday, Rangers men are away to Te Puke. Both games have early kick-offs.

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