Plains Rangers football teams were in action packed BOP football contests away from home at the weekend.
On Saturday, Plains Rangers men travelled to Tauranga Old Blues. Rangers started well, moving the ball around with some good combinations. The steady rain falling made the pitch conditions tricky. Against the run of play, Old Blues opened the scoring with a well placed shot from 25 metres. The home team gained confidence from this and started to string their passes together well too. Jamaal James went close for Rangers with a well hit shot that drifted narrowly wide. Old Blues doubled their lead in the 20th minute, bundling in from close range. Surface water pooling on the pitch made play tricky for both teams and had referee Neil Walker considering abondoning the game. Luckily the rain slowed at half time and play continued. Rangers had an even share of the second half, with Xavier Bain creating some good openings. However, the home team defence held them out and secured the 2 - 0 win. Ian Gray was player of the day for Rangers with some timely challenges in the centre of defence.
On Sunday Rangers women had another exciting game, at Tauranga Blue Rovers. The two teams traded goals in the first half, Kiahli Ibbetson netting for Rangers just before the break. Injuries to Mishka Barry and Dani Howard-Morris hampered Rangers, but they finished the game strongly with Ibbetson scoring two late goals to grab a 3 - 3 draw.
Player of the day was Danielle Haldane. She defended well and put some good passes in as well.
This coming weekend, Rangers have two home games. On Saturday the men are home to the new Waiariki club, which is a Rotorua combined club. On Sunday Rangers women have their local derby with Kawerau Sports, which will be a keenly fought affair.

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