Northern Rangers fronted up for the final round of the Steve Hudson Cup group stage, a dead rubber with South Hobart, but this was the game the side was most looking forward to playing.

A replay of the State Wide Championship Final from last season.

Rangers were still without Todd Hingston, and this week missed Gabriel Tams who was injured.  Patty Lanu-Atkinson was carrying a corked thigh and didn’t last the first half.

It was Northern Rangers who started the strongest, dominating the opening quarter of an hour and creating many chances.  Andrew Nicholson could have opened the scoring twice, a great cross from Stefan Jago sailing just over his head in full flight at the back post, his expression of disappointment, expiring before his feet had hit the ground.

Derek Schipper thought he had the opener after he poked the ball over the line from a spill from the South Hobart keeper, but the referee called for a free kick against Josh van Zetten on Callum Paske in goals.

South got back into game and started to put Rangers under pressure, but the game remained somewhat even, South started to shoot from distance, but rarely troubled Pooley in goals, until a goal mouth scramble ended in a South Hobart goal right on the knock of half time.

The second half started poorly for Rangers with South Hobart at their clinical best, and Rangers off their game.  South scored through Jonny Lo when he was given a low cut back cross and scored with ease.  South’s second came minutes later when a through ball was pounced on and the shot was sent past Lichtendonk in goals with little chance.

5 minutes on and Lichtendonk in goals, was deemed to have left the 18 yard box with the ball still in his hands and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box which South Hobart scored direct from to go 4-0 up and cruising.

Rangers lacked potency after the fourth goal, and while they fought back on the park, Rangers didn’t really look like scoring.  Nicholson had the best chance but it was saved by Callum Paske in goals.

Derek Schipper had control in midfield and played well, while Scott Murray was again outstanding, with his close touch control, creative flare throughout midfield was good enough to weave past some of South Hobart’s best players.

Again a disappointing result as the club nears the start of its double premiership defence, but there is still 4 weeks to fine tune and perfect the game plan for 2011.