On Saturday SLH Contracting Plains Rangers hosted league leaders Tauranga City Relics. The pitch was in good condition and both teams played some very good football on it.
The visitors started strongly, but Rangers weathered the storm and then got their own game going. Hamish Wilde fed the ball well to his front runners and they put pressure on the Tauranga defence. After twenty minutes Jordan Ogilvy put his shot wide after a good team move. In defence Kirk Bain put in a great shift, making several interceptions, to limit visiting striker Dion Bartosh's opportunities. Ten minutes before the interval Wilde hit a great shot that the keeper could only parry but no one was following in quickly enough to capitalise. The game remained scoreless at half time.
The visitors upped the ante in the second half and pressed Rangers hard. The defence held firm and when needed, keeper Christian Wetting was in great form, taking the high balls with confidence and getting off his line well. Rangers had a number of chances on the break too, with substitute striker Ben Howe coordinating the attacks well. However, late in the game it took a fine save from Wetting from close range to keep a clean sheet. The final score: Plains Rangers 0, Tauranga City 0.
This was a very entertaining game for the spectators, with a good balance of skill and determination on display. Rangers' player of the day was shared by father & son combination Kirk and Xavier Bain. Player-coach Christian Wetting was satisfied that the draw was a fair result for both teams and he was very happy with his team's performance.
Unfortunately Plains Rangers women's home game against Ngongotaha on Sunday was called off, with the visitors defaulting.

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