Plains Rangers women took pride of place for the club this weekend, recording a resounding win, while the men had a disappointing result in their game.
On Sunday, Plains Rangers women were at home to Waiariki. Rain all week meant the grass was long, but it didn’t slow down the home team. In fact, Rangers dominated the game, playing a lot of it in Waiariki territory and creating plenty of attacks.
Rangers’ first goal of the season came via Dani Howard. A Ranee Whiting throw in caused a handball and Howard slotted the resulting penalty well. Twenty minutes later a corner from Whiting went low across goal. Players scrambled to get to the ball and Danielle Haldane got the vital touch for Rangers’ second goal. The home team led 2 – 0 at half time.
Waiariki came out fighting in the second half, however the Rangers players stopped and intercepted a lot of their passes and the back line held strong and kept them out. Ten minutes into the second half, Whiting picked up the ball, ran the ball down the line and had a shot on goal. However, the shot turned into a cross kick and Katie Mahy picked up the ball and put it in the back of the net. Five minutes late, another strongly hit corner found Rhylee Mahy, who controlled it and shot it home. The final score: Plains Rangers 4, Waiariki 0.
Rhylee Mahy was player of the day, making some great runs down the wing and putting in some good shots on goal. The whole team put in a top all-round effort to earn their first win of the season.
On Saturday, Plains Rangers men travelled play Te Puke United, who are newcomers to the Bay Two league. Conditions were wet underfoot with bouts of heavy rain during the game. Five minutes in,  Rangers were awarded a free kick after Jesse Meadows was fouled during a promising attack. Rangers captain James Hart hit the shot in hard and on target and it was well saved by the Te Puke keeper. Play was evenly fought up until the 20th minute when Hamish Wilde had a tussle with a Te Puke player and was sent off. Using their extra man well, Te Puke scored soon after. Rangers evened up the score when an Elijah Wetting cross was unable to be controlled by the Te Puke defence, leading to Ben McPherson securing a tap-in goal. Unfortunately for Rangers a disputed penalty was awarded to Te Puke just on half time, which they converted making it 2 - 1 at the break.
In the second half, Rangers had multiple line breaks and shots on goal but couldn’t make the chances count. Jon Barnes had a good day in the mid field with Sam McPherson and Carl Imlig strong in defence. The younger Rangers players also had a big influence on the game. Elijah and Kobi Wetting, were joined by school mates Ollie Fort and Ben Hipkiss in their first senior team appearances. When another soft penalty was awarded to Te Puke, the uphill battle increased, but the Rangers never-say -die attitude kept the home team honest.
The final score was a 3 - 1 loss for the Edgecumbe team.
Rangers player of the day was Ben McPherson. Rangers’ men have a postponed Cup game at Whakatane on Tuesday night under lights. Kick off is at 6.30pm, while their next league game is against Otumoetai Special Reserve on Saturday, with a 2.30pm start.
Rangers women are away to Tauranga City on Sunday, kick off at 11am.

Ranee's report:
Us vs Waiariki, 4 - 0
From rain all week to an overcast day, to long grass to the lines getting mowed to see them.
It was the game to be watching.
Massive game today ladies, everyone was putting in everything they had from start to finish. We had so many shots on goal and played nearly all of the game in theire half. We were playing the balls through and around their players and think we got them a bit lost as some stages of the game. Big ups to everyone that had a shot on goal today.
The first goal of the season goes to Dani Howard, from getting her own goal last week to getting the ball in the right goal this week. From the throw from Ranee to Dee to the Waiariki play hand balling the ball, to us taking our first penalty kick for the season. Nice shot Dani. ��
Our second goal came 20 minutes later. A corner kick from Ranee Whiting her first for the season it was a low ball to the goal and players scrambling to get the ball. Danielle Haldane put her foot in and got the second goal of the game. ��
That was the goals for the first half.
Come the second half, Waiariki came out fighting for the ball however the Ranger players stopped and intercepted a lot of there balls, we had to chase our tails back a couple of times, but the back line held strong and kept them out.
Our third goal of the game came 10 minutes into the second half, Ranee picked up the ball and ran the ball down the line and tried to score. However the kick turned into a cross kick and Katie picked up the ball and put it in the back of the net, nice one Katie��.
Five minutes later we are back at the corner again and with a strong kick from Ranee again. Rhylee Mahy picks up the ball and kicks it into the back of the net. Nice goal Rhylee�� another nice goal for the Rangers.
That was all the goals for us today but we keep on trying for a 5th goal.
You all had a fantastic game today the strikers to the wings to the centre mids to the back line to our goalie.
Player of the day goes to Rhylee. You had an epic game on the wing from the runs you made to the shots on goal. You were on par with it all today, well done Rhylee.
Also a big thanks to our supports as well.
Great game ladies and see you all at training where we are NOT practising corners ����.

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