Northern Rangers travelled to Somerset in the second last round of the 2010 Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League, with the very real possibility of securing the 2010 title while they were there.   The four point gap between Northern Rangers and second place Devonport City could become impossible for Devonport to close with a Ranger win.

Devonport last week all but put themselves to the sword with a 3-1 loss at home to a fast finishing Burnie United as Rangers continued on their unbeaten run in 2010.

Somerset were at close to full strength, and Coach James Nettleton had said in the media during the week that they were determined not to let Northern Rangers celebrate the title success in their club rooms, so Somerset would be eager to put in a good showing.

Declan Cuschieri moved his way back onto the senior bench after a week out with injury while the side that beat Launceston City last week 5-4 stayed otherwise unchanged.

Somerset showed intent right from the first whistle and put Rangers under early pressure, but the back line of Tams, Luck, Tuma and Demeijer were in great form and dealt with just about everything, saving Marshall Pooley in goals from too much activity.

Rangers eventually opened up and got moving, and when they did they looked extremely threatening.

Hingston was a demon in midfield, running a muck and winning everything with his head, bathing his old team mates while he was at it, in particular keeping Bobby Eaves ineffective and quiet through out midfield.  He was getting good support from Derek Schipper in midfield also.

Nicholson, who is in a rich vein of form, created a number of chances that had Somerset back peddling in defense on a number of occasions.

The opener came from a run down the left from Nicholson on a break, a number of chances were thwarted by the Somerset defense but Jago struck from the edge of the 18 yard box and slipped the ball under Casey Eaves in goal who made a meal of what seemed to be a fairly routine save.  Rangers were 1-0 up after 20 minutes of play.

Rangers started to dominate from here and shortly after had their second goal when a brilliant long diagonally ball was sent from Tams on the right over to Nicholson who controlled and shot, the spilled shot landed in the 6 yard box and Bremner did as he so often does, cleaned up all and sundry and somehow bundled the ball over the line for Rangers 2-0.  Somerset protested claiming had not crossed the line, but Mr deCani was happy that it had and motioned for the sides to return to their respective halves to resume play.

With the second goal came a renewed effort from Somerset.  Somerset won a good corner after a shot was deflected by Pooley in goals, but Rangers won possession and Sam Luck set off on a great run from deep in defense. He collected a great through ball from Bremner and went all the way one on one with Casey Eaves and slotted the ball past the keeper with ease to make it 3-0.

Half time and Adam Whitemore and Tony Ludby could only encourage the side to do what they had been doing but quicker.  Looking for quicker ball movement and quicker decisions.

In the second half Rangers did that and dominated possession for long periods of time.  Whilst there were no further goals, Rangers executed their game plan exactly as it had been requested.  Whitemore also wanted the clean sheet and it was delivered with little fuss and Rangers prevented any real chances on goal with a fine defensive effort.

As the final whistle drew nearer, the Ranger supporters got louder with songs of praise ringing out at any sight of dominating play, and when Mr deCani blew that whistle for the last time, the premiership had been secured.

Not the scenes of uncontrollable jubilation of last years success, but certainly an excited end to the day as the celebrations got under way out on the ground at Cardigan street.  Players and supporters united to sing the song out on the ground, pose for the championship photo and congratulate all and sundry on a fine effort.

Whitemore addressed the side after everything had settled down, congratulating them on a job well done, but re focusing the group on the end of year goal to go through undefeated and achieve success in the state wide championship later in the month.

As the players left the ground the celebrations went on all night with the long trip home including a stop at the clubs coastal home, the Lucas Hotel.

Many had doubted the club could repeat its success of 2009 with so many of that side leaving the side for various reasons, Northern Rangers certainly have proved the doubters wrong this year and done so with home grown talent that proves the youth system is working well.

Particular congratulations should also go to Adam Whitemore and Tony Ludby.  Their hard work all year has paid off, identifying talent like Gabriel Tams who has played so many years in the reserves as a striker, and moving him to right back where he has been clinical and an integral part of the championship winning side, not to mention the rise and rise of players like Luke Tuma, Ayden Demeijer, Declan Cuschieri, Patty Lanu-Atkinson and Stefan Jago, who are all still very much youth players and will have a huge hand in future club success.  Whitemore and Ludby would have been in the overwhelmingly large minority of those that believed the title was still achievable with the list of players at the beginning 2010, and they have delivered from that faith.

Thanks must go to the Committee of the club also, the players from all squads for the attention and commitment to the cause, our great sponsors and the many many supporters of the club who have supported us over the year.

There is still however much work to be done, and of course the last round of the NPL season next week against Devonport Strikers where the club will hold a family day with great activities for all the family including a jumping castle, face painting and crafts for the kids, please come along and support the club and celebrate the success of 2010 with us.  Then a week off before the State wide Championship series gets under way at the NTCA with the quarter final match against the 4^th placed Southern Premier League side on the 28^th of August.

Well done Northern Rangers.

Adam Whitemore’s comments after the game “A really clinical performance to seal the title. We spoke about the importance of being defensively solid, and that's exactly what we were. Apart from a free kick in the second half they didn't have a single chance. We dominated the first half and then had total control in the second against a more than useful Somerset side. Even Prez (Mark Ackerly) was semi-relaxed! We still need to work on our runs and ball movement in the last 3rd, as we wasted too much possession in the second half especially.

Congratulations to the players. I've never seen such a mentally strong group.

Devonport have chased us since the end of the first round, and not once have we faltered, or even looked like it. In fact we have got stronger and stronger and performances have improved as the pressure increased. That we have kept attacking and playing possession football from the back is brilliant.

I'm really pleased for the boys who have come into the seniors this year; Ayden Demeijer, Gabriel Tams, Stefan Jago, Issa Dumbuya, and Luke Tuma were all excellent yesterday. The challenge is now to refocus for next week. Only 4 champions have gone undefeated in the last 30 years. The goal is to lift our performances further. Are we happy just to win, or do we aim to go unbeaten and then set ourselves up for the state finals? I'm looking to see who's ambitious”

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