In an evenly fought game, Plains Rangers hosted Rotorua Boys High School in the
BOP division two at the Edgecumbe Domain on Saturday.
The first half was well contested, with the visitors using their speed to advantage, but
Rangers dealt well with these threats. The closeness of the game became apparent
early on when referee Warren Silva had to deal with a number of disputes. The
closest RBHS got was when right back Jason Shaw made a timely intervention to
clear in front of goal. Rangers put some good moves together of their own, and were
within centimetres of scoring. A good ball forward from centre back David Dennis
put Aaron Muggeridge through on goal. Muggeridge, after making good space for
himself, could only watch in agony as his shot scraped the outside of the goal post.
The hard fought affair continued in the second half, but injury and illness eventually
took their toll on a couple of Rangers midfielders and they had to be substituted. With
twenty minutes to go, the RBHS coach, who had just entered the game, scored from
close range in a goal mouth skirmish. Rangers pushed men forward in an attempt to
equalise, and were caught out late in the game when the visitors went two goal up.
The final score was Plains Rangers 0, RBHS 2.
Although this result means that Rangers are now probably only playing for pride in
the next four weeks, it was a much improved showing from last week. Jason Shaw
was named player of the day for some great work in defence. Others to impress were
Hori Elliot and the flu-ridden Bas Overdevest.
This coming Saturday, Rangers are away to Ngongotaha, for the second time this
season.