Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers opened their season in BOP division three with a dominant display against Rotorua City at the Edgecumbe Domain yesterday. Rangers pinned City back in their own half for long periods, but were surprised when the visitors opened the scoring with a speculative long shot. Eventually the home team's pressure paid off. An Aaron Muggeridge shot took a deflection and beat the well performed City keeper. Before half time, James Mitchell put Rangers in front, sidefooting the ball home.
The game's pattern continued after the break. There were periods of good passing from Rangers, who used their wings Simon Gowing and Jeremy Hawkes well, and dogged defending from City. A Mitchell cross was headed home by Gowing to give Rangers a comfortable lead and the win was sealed by a Bas Overdevest header from a Hawkes cross. The Rotorua City keeper pulled off a series of fine saves late in the second half to keep the scoreline respectable. The final score was Plains Rangers 4, Rotorua City 1.
Coach Brendan Cusack, who also doubled as referee (with no officials appointed), was happy with the performance and named Gowing as player of the day for his hard work down the flanks. Next Saturday Rangers are away to Old Blues in Tauranga.