Plains Rangers’ men travelled to play Papamoa on Saturday. Conditions were good for football, although Gordon Spratt Reserve was crowded due to a large junior tournament also being played there.

Rangers welcomed back captain James Hart from injury and started the game well, moving the ball around and enjoying plenty of possession.

Hamish Wilde had the first shot on goal, following good work from Anaaru Awhimate and Ben McPherson.

Hart himself had the next shot on target after 15 minutes, but the Papamoa keeper saved well.

Two minutes later, Christian Wetting had to make a save from a corner.

The home team were by now enjoying a decent share of the game.

On the half hour, a defensive header was missed and the home team scored with a clean finish by Kyle Van der Merwe.

Two minutes later, an unlucky deflection in the Rangers’ defence led to the same striker scoring again.

Late in the half, Sione Lotu subbed on for Rangers and helped put pressure on the home defence. At half time, Papamoa led 2-0.

Rangers pushed hard during the second half to get a goal back and won a series of free kicks as the home team aimed to stop their progress.

A Kobi Wetting free kick was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Papamoa retained their threat, however, and it took a fine one-on-one save by keeper Wetting to keep out one attack.

Late in the game, good work from Joseph Spalding gave Wilde another chance, but again the shot was saved.

Tempers boiled over in the final minutes as the home team worked to thwart the visitors.

The strategy succeeded, with the final score remaining 2-0.

Player of the day for Rangers was Reimana Robinson, who put in a strong showing at left fullback.

Rangers will need to get back their goal scoring knack quickly.

This Saturday, they are at home to Ōhope Sharks, who will be keen to reverse the results of the previous meetings between the clubs. It will be a hard-fought encounter. Kick-off at Edgecumbe Domain is at 2.30pm.