The Battle of the Builders was a hard fought affair at the Edgecumbe Domain on Saturday. Last year's champions Pullar Builders Whakatane arrived to take on Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers in BOP division three.
Rangers got off to the better start and played a lot of fluid football in the first half. The driving runs of Richie Nillesen and Bas Overdevest through the midfield had Whakatane under pressure. Rangers won a number of attacking freekicks. One in particular, from Nillesen, drew an outstanding save from Whakatane keeper Paul Shakes. Brendan Cusack and Jeremy Hawkes also went close. At the other end a couple of Danny Smith strikes were narrowly wide. The score was locked at 0 - 0 at half time.
The second half was an evenly balanced contest, with both sides putting in some willing challenges. The number of chances remained even. Jason Pullar kept one Whakatane effort out, heading the ball off his goal line. On the attacking side, Barrie Hawkes had the bad luck to see his well struck header cannon into another Rangers player. In the end, both sides had to settle for a 0 - 0 draw, a fair result.
For Rangers, Kirk Bain earned player of the day with his strength in defence and some good runs forward.
This Saturday Rangers travel to play the high flying Greerton team, and will have to be at their best to gain a result.