Plains Rangers had a drama-filled football weekend, with both teams battling against high-flying opposition.

Rangers’ men were at home on Saturday to league leaders Ngongotahā, in the first game of the top four split division.

The visitors got off to an impressive start, speedy striker Stanley Archibald scoring on the end of a lovely flowing move.

Rangers, who have also been in good form, worked to bounce back.

Captain Jimmy Hart hit a free kick from 30 metres, but the Ngongotahā keeper made a great save to tip it onto the bar.

Ngongotahā came back and worked a good one-two through the defence to score again.

Rangers rearranged a few positions and came within a whisker again.

Ollie Fort, dropping back to fullback, made a good interception and fed Joseph Spalding who had moved into the midfield.

He hit a strike that also bounced off the crossbar.

With 10 minutes to go before the break, the visitors sent a long freekick over the defence and Archibald raced through to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Rangers then lost player-coach Christian Wetting, who limped off with a leg injury. To rub salt in the wound, Ngongotahā scored again, to lead 4-0 at half time.

Rangers were determined to keep playing good football and see what they could achieve in the second half.

After eight minutes, they finally got some reward.

A lengthy period of possession and patience ended with Fort sending in a fine cross for Hamish Wilde to slot home.

Two minutes later, Spalding floated a corner to the back post, where Teimana Awhimate jumped up to head it home. Game on.

Rangers were playing with confidence, and the visitors became more determined to slow them down, with some physical challenges flying in.

Midway through the half, the home team was a bit slow getting their defence ready for a free kick and failed to keep out a shot from 25 metres.

Two minutes later, the impressive Spalding was flattened in a forceful challenge from behind and had to be helped from the field.

The culprit was red-carded, but the incident left a sour taste for the home team.

When the game eventually restarted, Ngongotahā held on to get their win, 5-2.

Hamish Wilde was named player of the day for Rangers, with Fort and the unfortunate Spalding also impressive.

This Saturday, Rangers are at home to second-placed Tauranga City Juggernauts, who are always strong opponents.

On Sunday, Plains Rangers’ women headed to Gordon Spratt Reserve with a point to prove, and from the opening whistle, they made sure Papamoa legends knew they were in a battle.

Playing with confidence and great shape, Rangers knocked the ball around beautifully and didn’t take long to make it count.

After some slick build-up play, Cassidy Spillman threaded a perfect ball through for Lily Muggeridge, who calmly slotted home the opening goal.

It was exactly the start the visitors wanted and it had Papamoa rattled.

Papamoa eventually managed to pull things back, but Rangers refused to sit back.

The energy on the pitch was relentless. Sarah Sinkinson tore up the wing all game, sprinting past defenders like she had rockets on her boots while at the back, Rose Sinkinson stood strong, reading the game perfectly and cutting out attack after attack.

Then came a big moment: a penalty, and a chance at redemption for Lucy Cox-Ellison, who had been battling hard all game.

She placed the ball, took a deep breath and absolutely lashed it home like she had a point to prove. Straight in, no messing about, game back on.

And, talk about a comeback, Ranee Whiting returned to the pitch after having her baby and looked like she hadn’t missed a beat, getting stuck in all over the park and picking up player of the day in her first game back.

The final 3-2 scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.

Plains Rangers dictated big spells of play and showed that when they’re on the ball, they can rattle even the strongest sides.

This Sunday, Rangers’ women are at home to Papamoa Icons.

Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is at 12.30pm.