Tasman Bowl holders, Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers passed the first test of their Tasman Cup campaign on Saturday.
Rangers were at home to Taupo, a team they had lost to in the league, and a hard fought battle ensued.
The visitors pushed men forward from the start and had some useful attacks, they also gave Rangers little space when the home team were in possession. It was still a surprise when Taupo took the lead after 15 minutes, with a rogue bounce from the pitch and a seemingly off-side striker undoing the Rangers' defence for an easy goal. Both teams turned on good attacking football, despite the long grass on the pitch, with Rangers doing damage down the wings. Just before half time a Rangers corner was driven across by Simon Gowing and bulleted home by a superb Bas Overdevest header. The equaliser knocked the visitors, and the scores were level 1 - 1 at half time.
A few minutes into the second half, the home pressure told and Jeremy Hawkes headed a bouncing ball over the advancing Taupo keeper for Rangers to take the lead. Although Rangers pressed the more, specially through left winger Ben McPherson, sub Josh Van Veen and the creative passing of centre midfielder Josh Hyndman, both teams had about equal chances to score. The knock-out nature of cup football kept everyone pushing themselves to the limit. However the final whistle came to relieve the exhaustion on the pitch, with the score still Plains Rangers 2, Taupo 1.
The game had been played in excellent spirit and was well managed by referee Michel Nillesen. Rangers' player of the day was Barrie Hawkes, but all the team could hold their heads high and look forward to whoever they might meet in the next round. Taupo, meanwhile will drop to play in the Tasman Bowl.
This Saturday, Rangers are back to league action, away to Tauranga City United.