There were lots of parallels between the two Plains Rangers football teams' games at the weekend. Both teams were at home. Both teams played out very competitive games against similarly ranked opponents and both teams ended up with the same score!
On Saturday Rangers men hosted Te Puke, with the visitors being quite a different line-up from when the sides met earlier in the season. "In the first round we had the pickers, now we have the pruners," the Te Puke coach commented, referring to his kiwifruit industry players. The game turned out to be a fiercely fought affair, with plenty of crunching tackles, good ball skills and high-speed passing the order of the day. Midway through the half Rangers had the first close attempt. Midfielder Elijah Wetting controlled the ball well and his well-hit shot just drifted wide. Te Puke worked hard to create their chances and Rangers' keeper Christian Wetting was strong in goal when the quick strikers got through the defensive line. Late in the half Rangers went really close. A corner was flicked on by Elias Thomas and Sione Lotu couldn't quite bundle the ball in from close range. The game was scoreless at the break.
In the second half Rangers came out looking to try to stay out of the confrontations and move the ball quickly. Substitute Phil Ballingall won the ball, fed Jesse Meadows and Thomas put his shot wide. A minute later Meadows also went close with a strike. A Ben McPherson cross found Meadows at the far post, but his header was saved by the Te Puke keeper. Te Puke though were never out of it and with fifteen minutes left Rangers got a scare, when a shot bounced off their crossbar. In the final minutes McPherson chased a ball into the box and had his ankle clipped. Rangers clamoured for a penalty but without success. In the end the 0 – 0 was a good reflection of a ding-dong battle played in good spirit.
Rangers were missing several regulars for various reasons, but their rearranged lineup played well. Player of the day was Earle Tuhimata, who had scored a hat-trick last week as striker, but had a fine game in centre defence. Fellow defenders Sam McPherson, Ollie Fort and Anaaru Awhimate were also in solid form. This Saturday Rangers men are away to Waiariki, who are two places above them on the table, in second place.
On Sunday, Rangers women also had fine conditions for their clash with Papamoa Icons, who are one place below them on the table. It turned out to be a very even contest with both teams sharing similar amounts of possession and territory. Rangers sent up a number of through balls for their speedy strikers to chase after, but the Papamoa keeper mopped them up well. Half an hour into the game the visitors went close, with Rangers first half keeper Katie Mahy making a very good diving save to keep out a good shot. Rangers bounced back, Gemma Stuckey went on a great run and her shot went narrowly wide. Papamoa replied, putting a strike just wide. As the game continued into the second half, it looked like one goal might seal it. Stuckey put in a couple of good crosses. Rose Sinkinson and Mahy took shots, but the goal remained elusive. At the other end Papamoa's attacks were well snuffed out by Megan Wait and Danielle Giordano. The final score of 0 – 0 was also fair to both teams.
Rangers player of the day was Lily Muggeridge who did a fine job in the backline, keeping out some speedy attackers. Lauren Powell, Mariah Pepper and Alex Puutu Dredge also impressed.
This Sunday Rangers women have a tough assignment, away to league leaders Tauranga City Wolves.

Ranee's report:
Us VS Papamoa Icons, 0-0

What a good even fight out on the pitch today and you all left nothing behind.
Well done ladies on today's play.
We sure did have a few players playing in some different positions and some players playing in just about every spot on the field.
We held Papamoa out for the whole 90 minutes. Ladies in the back line had a tough game today. Goalies you made some great saves too.
We found our passing game in the second half and in the first half doing a few kicks and runs. All in all, ladies it was a great game to watch, and you all did brilliant work and were working well as a team with lots of talk.
Gemma nice game up front, lots of runs and chasing for you today.
Lauren great game today even if we had you in a couple of different positions on the field, you mastered them well.
Player of the day goes to Lily, you had a massive game in the back line and lots of running for you as well keeping up with the wing you put your all into it today, nicely done.
Once again ladies great game and you should be proud of yourselves, rest those legs and see you at training.
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