PLAINS Rangers’ trophy challenges with Whakatāne Town on Saturday turned into a celebration of local football.

First up, Rangers’ men played Whakatāne Town, looking to retain the sponsors Cup. Both teams have had successful seasons in their differing divisions, with Whakatāne ending up third in division one, and Rangers fourth in division two.

Rangers got off to a good start with livewire striker Elias Thomas causing the home defence problems with his skilful dribbling runs. After fifteen minutes, Thomas beat several defenders in the penalty area and slid the ball across to Jesse Meadows, who couldn’t quite slot it home.

Thomas repeated the dose four minutes later, but again Rangers couldn’t capitalise.

Whakatāne went on attack and won a soft looking free kick outside the goal area. The cross went to the far post and was headed in strongly, to open the scoring.

Rangers bounced straight back. Meadows and Ben McPherson panicked the home team defence and Thomas smashed in the loose ball with his left foot to equalise.

A good run by defender Shane Baillie won a free kick on the edge of the Whakatāne penalty area to keep the pressure on.

Then the home team produced some nice passing football to open the Rangers’ defence and score their second. Thomas went back on the attack and shot narrowly wide after another dribbling run. Whakatāne then saw out the half, retaining possession and passing the ball around. At the break Whakatane led 2-1.

The game restarted at high speed after half time. Christian Wetting pulled off a good save to stop the home team scoring. Hamish Wilde had a shot saved by the Whakatāne keeper. One of Kobi Wetting’s many tackles won the ball and fed Thomas who was fouled. Wetting put the freekick over the bar.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Cam Wills put the home team further ahead with a delicate chip over the keeper.

The game remained well contested but with Whakatāne’s good passing controlling proceedings, until late in the piece when there was late drama.

Wilde nudged the ball to Thomas on halfway, but a defender intercepted. Thomas then robbed the ball back and raced the 50 metres, holding off two chasing defenders and beating the keeper to make it 3-2.

However, Whakatāne bounced back to win a late penalty after a striker was dragged back in the box. The final score, Whakatāne Town 4, Rangers 2, meant the Sponsors Cup was handed over.

Elias Thomas was named player of the match for Rangers after a scintillating display.

Kobi Wetting and Shane Baillie were also outstanding. Terry Stilgoe, making a good impact off the bench, was player of the day for the home team.

The women’s game that followed was a great contest. Whakatāne had won the Brooke Stilgoe in the first game of the season, beating Rangers 2-0 and celebrating Brooke’s contribution to local football.

With her recent passing, the clubs decided to put the trophy up again in memory and celebration.

Ten minutes into the game, birthday girl Gemma Stuckey went close for Rangers with a strong shot.

Midway through the half Whakatāne took the lead, scoring a goal from a corner. Rangers kept up the defensive fight though, with Alex Puutu Dredge particularly strong at the back.

Behind them, Katie Mahy in goal was her usual tower of strength and her clearing bombs down the pitch were very useful weapons for the Rangers forwards.

Whakatāne kept pressing. Sarah Sheaff had to make a strong last-ditch tackle to stop one attack, and Mahy dived to take the ball off striker Abby Brogden’s feet.

At half time, the home team led 1-0.

Rangers came out strongly after the break and really started to get their game flowing.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Rose Sinkinson laid the ball off to midfielder Dee Haldane who powered a shot into the top corner, to even the game up.

Two minutes later a corner kick was palmed out by Whakatane keeper Megan Vaughan and Haldane almost scored again, her shot missing by a narrow margin.

Both teams kept up the good football but neither could score the winner, making it 1-1 at full time.

A penalty shoot-out ensued, and despite Rangers’ keeper Mahy making a save, Whakatāne held their nerve to win 4-2 and retain the cup.

Rose Sinkinson and Holly Klinac were named players of the match.

There was a large crowd there to enjoy the afternoon’s football. Both games were very competitive but played in good spirit and both games were well refereed by Liam Dooley.