Plains Rangers’ men finished their regular league in good form, with the top four split about to start.

Rangers were at home to Katikati, who they had frustratingly lost to in the first round.

The home team got off to a flying start. After five minutes, Ryan Elliot got on the end of a corner and steered the ball calmly into the net.

Rangers almost doubled the score 10 minutes later when Ollie Fort put in a well-weighted cross, but the keeper pulled off an outstanding save with his legs to save Elliot’s shot.

Rangers then lost a bit of shape as the players pushed forward to try extend the lead, and ended up rushing their play. At half time the score was 1-0.

Joseph Spalding was introduced into the midfield after the break and it paid immediate dividends. He drove at the Katikati defence, fed Hamish Wilde, who laid it off to Fort, who scored with a nice touch.

Rangers were now playing better football and the chances flowed. Another good pass from Wilde saw Ben McPherson put his shot just wide.

Fort set up Alex Boyce, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Wilde went on a good dribbling run and brought an excellent save from the Katikati keeper.

Thirty minutes into the half, Wilde passed to Spalding outside the box and invited him to shoot. Spalding’s low shot flew in from 20 metres. Reimana Robinson pushed up from fullback to have a decent shot saved.

With a few minutes left, Rangers nabbed their fourth. Kobi Wetting sent a corner across and Sam McPherson, up from centre-back, stuck it in the net.

The final score: Plains Rangers 4, Katikati 0.

Rangers will be well pleased with the result, but know that the remaining games in the split league will be tougher.

The defence had a good day, combining well and keeping a clean sheet. Anaaru Awhimate had a strong game, winning his challenges and feeding the ball forward well.

Player of the day Kobi Wetting was one of the rotating group of attackers,who all made good impacts in their turns on the pitch.

This Saturday, Rangers’ men are at home to Ngongotahā, who are top of the table. Kick-off is at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 2.30pm.

It was a tough outing for the Plains Rangers’ women on Sunday as they faced a strong Lakes FC side at Edgecumbe Domain.

Despite the final scoreline, the heart and resilience shown by Rangers was nothing short of inspirational. The highlight of the day came in the 26th minute when Danielle Haldane let fly with an absolute peach of a shot, rocketing it into the back of the net. That goal alone made the sideline erupt.

From there it was a real battle. Jenna Hines was a superstar in goal, throwing herself around like a cat with nine lives, Sarah Wigzell was solid at the back, putting her body on the line time and again.

Unfortunately, it was a bruising kind of match which ended with two Rangers’ players heading off to hospital with ankle injuries and the Rangers’ keeper also picked up an elbow injury late in the game. The final score: Plains Rangers women 1, Lakes FC 9.

Olivia Rossouw ran her heart out and nabbed player of the day. The whole team showed  fight, heart and commitment.

Rangers’ women have another tough game this Sunday, away to the equally high-flying Papamoa Legends.