AFTER 61 consecutive losses dating back to round 12 in 2016, Hamley Bridge is back in the winner’s list after a terrific 14.23 (107) to 8.2 (50) win over United in round one of the Adelaide Plains Football League season.

It was a massive debut for the Bombers’ key offseason signing, with “The Future” John Butcher bagging six goals to sit in first place in the goal kicking race after round one.

Despite having 17 more scoring shots than United, the Bombers trailed throughout the first half as the Tigers were clinical in front of goal – heading into quarter time up 3.3 (21) to 5.0 (30), and into halftime at 5.6 (36) to 7.0 (42).

While it was a spirited showing from United, the second half was one-way traffic as Hamley Bridge kicked 4.7 in the third quarter, before finishing with a 5.10 (40) to zero final period.

Butcher said he could tell how special of a moment it was for a club, saying it “felt like a grand final”.

“I’d been to four or five trainings in the lead up to round one, and you could tell we were building towards something special this year,” he said.

“Some of the players on this team started playing senior footy when they were 15 or 16 years old, making up the numbers and getting belted around a bit.

“Now they’ve matured, and when you put a few older bodies around them, to see them flourish the way they did on the weekend was amazing – I was honestly blown away by some of the talent on display.

“I know a few people involved with the club on a board level and I know how they’re trying to turn things around and return the club to its glory days, and I think we showed on the weekend that we’re hopefully going to be competitive every week.

“I’m getting old now, so it’s all about having fun – I kicked 6.7 on the day, standard me – but it was a good laugh and we all had a great time, and it was a great night back at the Owen Hotel afterwards as well.”

In another shock result, Angle Vale upset premiership hopefuls Virginia despite heading into three-quarter time down 4.7 (31) to 9.7 (61).

It was an inspired last term from the Owls, kicking 9.3 to come over the top of the Rams and win 13.10 (88) to 12.9 (81).

Rob Kovacic spearheaded the Angle Vale forward line, kicking three goals, while Nick Lehmann bagged four for Virginia.

Brendon Niklaus kicked two for the Rams, leaving him on 996 goals for the club with an opportunity to bring up the 1000-goal milestone at home against Hummocks Watchman this Saturday.

Reigning premier Mallala welcomed Balaklavaback to the competition after the Peckers opted out of the 2020 season, with the Magpies winning 13.20 (98) to 7.3 (45) in a result which could’ve been much uglier if they kicked straight.

Gawler Central premiership player Shane Moss kicked three goals in his first game back with Balaklava, but Mallala simply controlled the midfield throughout the contest to produce a steady stream of scoring shots.

Caleb Edmead (five goals) and Tyson Richard (four) combined for nine of Two Wells’s 13 goals in a tough away 13.13 (91) to 9.7 (61) win at Hummocks Watchman.

The two sides were locked in a tight battle at halftime, with the Roosters leading 5.5 (35) to 5.4 (34), but the Eagles, who also didn’t play in the 2020 season, fell off sharply as the game went on despite the best efforts of Henry Wright (two goals).