West Coast Rangers spurned the chance to take the outright lead in the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League at Seddon Fields on August 15, held to a scoreless draw by Western Springs in a cracking encounter between the National Women's League contenders. Both goalkeepers were called into action in the opening half-hour, Angelique Tuisamoa superbly denying Shannon Henson's volley before Sophie Campbell scrambled Anna McPhie's twenty-yarder round the post, with the Springs midfielder denied an "Olimpico" from the resulting corner due to a foul in the goalmouth. "The Hoops" came desperately close to opening the scoring just before half-time, Kitty Jacob somehow failing to make sufficient contact with the ball when the goal was at her mercy. McPhie then hit the post with another twenty yard attempt. Nanami Omasa was denied shortly after half-time by Campbell, before Rangers were awaded a penalty just after the hour mark for a foul on Henson. The league's leading markswoman stepped up to do the honours from twelve yards, but met her match in Tuisamoa, whose save maintained parity on the scoreboard. As did Tiana Hill's headed clearance off the line to deny a goalbound Minji Yun rocket in the 68th minute. Springs responded with a stirring finale, Arisa Takeda rattling the bar with a thirty-yard free-kick before Campbell made two super saves in the immediate aftermath. McPhie, Liz Savage and Cleo Carmichael also went close in the dying minutes, but 0-0 it remained - defo not your bog-standard scoreless affair this one, however. A really good contest. That result leaves Auckland United on top of the table by virtue of a superior goal difference to Rangers, who have played a game more. The title-holders' nineteenth round encounter with third-placed Eastern Suburbs is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Keith Hay Park, and if it's anything like their cup semi-final on Saturday, another fine contest is in prospect. The relegation battle also witnessed a twist on Sunday, with Tauranga Moana earning a precious point from their 1-1 draw with Ellerslie, a match which was transferred from Gordon Spratt Reserve in Papamoa to Links Avenue, and kicked off an

hour later than scheduled as a result. "The Ponies" made light of the pre-match shenanigans, opening the scoring just two minutes into the contest through Anna Sluyter. But Tauranga were on level terms half-an-hour later, Jasmine Griffiths restoring parity. Briana Osborne squandered a great chance to give the home team the lead early in the second spell when heading straight at Petra Wedlake, before the crossbar denied Maddi Ollington late on. She could still have won the game for Ellerslie, but Jess Benge produced a fine save to deny her in a one-on-one opportunity. That point means Tauranga are now three points clear of bottom-placed Hibiscus Coast, who opened the scoring through a thumping Aneka Mittendorff free-kick in their clash with Fencibles United at Stanmore Bay Reserve. But "Fencies" hit back before half-time through Ayumi Horikoshi and Lilly Dowsing, and negotiated the second half to prevail by that 2-1 scoreline, a result which leaves "The Coasters" in no doubt re what they need to do next Saturday, when a little trip to Tauranga's Links Avenue home is on the menu - it's win or bust for the visitors, who boast a superior goal difference compared with their relegation rivals. Following the aforementioned Wednesday night encounter, penultimate round action kicks off on Friday night at Fred Taylor Park, where Rangers and "Fencies" do battle. Saturday sees Auckland and "The Hoops" locking horns at Keith Hay Park, while Sunday's East Auckland derby sees Ellerslie entertaining "The Lilywhites" at Michaels Avenue. Lastly, best wishes to Western Springs' Maddi Day as she continues her recovery from a nasty injury she endured in their recent Reserves League encounter with Fencibles at Riverhills Park, an incident which resulted in the match being called off eleven minutes from time.   Details: Hibiscus Coast 1 (A. Mittendorff (12)), Fencibles United 2 (A. Horikoshi (30), L. Dowsing (45))  HT 1-2 Tauranga Moana 1 (J. Griffiths (34)), Ellerslie 1 (A. Sluyter (2))  HT 1-1 Western Springs 0, West Coast Rangers 0