On Saturday SLH Contracting Plains Rangers men travelled to play Rotorua United. Rangers had the breeze at their backs in the first half. The Rangers midfield had slightly the upper hand and the team put together several good attacks, but couldn't quite finish their chances. Rotorua scored first after the break with a good move down their right wing and a well placed shot. Rangers came back with determination. A move down the right flank ended with Jordan Ogilvy making a nuisance of himself in front of the Rotorua goal. He flicked the ball past the keeper and striker Sione Lotu bravely dived to head the ball in, narrowly avoiding colliding with the goalpost. Both teams worked hard to try and grab a winner. Very late in the game Rotorua won a corner. It was perfectly placed, with the sun glowing brightly behind it, and one of their midfielders leapt above the Rangers defenders to head it home. The final score was Rotorua United 2, Plains Rangers 1.
With a number of players out injured, the Rangers player of the day went to Julian Reid who did a fine job debuting at left back. This Saturday Rangers men return to Rotorua, to play Ngongotaha.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women, without several of their starting eleven, were at home to second placed Papamoa. Papamoa had given them an 18 - 0 thrashing in the first round, so Rangers were probably not expected to fare that well. However, Rangers made their visitors work very hard, and even had the better of the chances, before Papamoa got their noises in front 20 minutes into the game. A shot came through a crowd of legs, giving Rangers keeper Jo Ingle no chance. Ten minutes later Papamoa had doubled their lead and it looked like the writing was on the wall. However, Rangers continued to play well, forcing a number of corners. In the second half Rangers capitalized on a corner, with Mishka Barry scoring. The final score was Plains Rangers 1, Papamoa 2.
Stand-in keeper Jo Ingle was named player of the day. Centre defenders Sarah Boyce and Ranee Whiting also impressed. This Sunday, Rangers women are at home to Kawerau Sports, in what should be an even competitive game.







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