A below standard performance from Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers meant a shock loss at the hands of Te Puke Reserves on Saturday.
Rangers had difficulty retaining the ball in the early parts of the game, with a number of players isolated. Te Puke came at the visitors and were rewarded with an early goal. Rangers tried to get their game going, and made some reasonable raids but the last passes often went astray. A Jeremy Hawkes shot into the side-netting was as close as it got.
In the second half Rangers started dominating territory, and the home team slowed the game down more and more, hanging onto their lead. The more desperate Rangers became, the more luck deserted them. In the end, it was still Te Puke Reserves 1, Plains Rangers 0.
One of the few Rangers players to shine was striker Josh Van Veen, who always looked dangerous.
Rangers will need to forget about this game and get back to form for this Saturday's home game against Otumoetai. Kick-off at the Edgecumbe Domain is likely to be at 2 pm.