SLH Contracting Plains Rangers had a tough challenge in their Bay Sports Centre Bowl semi-final against Papamoa at Links Avenue on Saturday.
The game was played at a frantic pace in the first quarter of an hour but the quality of play got better as the half continued. Papamoa started out the better. Rangers' defenders Jason Pullar and Kirk Bain had strong games with lots of clashes with the big Papamoa attackers. Rangers had their chances too, with Jordan Ogilvy, James Hart and Petir Gray going close. Rangers were the more likely team in the second half, but the game was scoreless at ninety minutes and so went into extra time. Rangers went ahead early in extra time. Substitute Chris Butler's first touch was a cross-shot that sailed over the Papamoa keeper and hit the underside of the bar to bounce down and, amidst the attentions of striker Petir Gray and a defender, into the goal. Rangers controlled quite a bit of the rest of the game, surviving a couple of scares, one of which needed a smart save from player of the day Christian Wetting, to take the game 1 – 0.
Player –coach Wetting was pleased with the efforts of the whole squad and would have named them joint players of the day, but his team insisted that he had earned the credits.
The date of the Bowl final is unknown at this point, but Rangers will meet Tauranga City Relics in the final.
On Saturday, Rangers men return to league action with an away game to Otumoetai Green. On Sunday, Rangers women (who had the bye this weekend) are away to Te Puke.

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