IN an extraordinary round in the Adelaide Plains Football League, perennial mid-packers United pulled out one of the more improbable upsets in recent memory, defending its home turf with a four-point win against red-hot flag favourites Two Wells. 

After losing the two meetings in 2019 by a combined 90 points, and entering the fixture 0-2 on the season, United played like it belonged with the best side in the competition, grinding out a low-scoring first half to go into the sheds up by two points.
Every time Two Wells tried to mount a charge, including going up by eight points in the final term, the Tigers responded, and coach Craig Dawe said it was that resilience which was his biggest takeaway.
“They challenged us in the final quarter, going up by eight, but for us to kick the next two goals to win shows this group is maturing,” he said.
“It shows the self-belief in our processes and structures. It was a true credit to the playing group… reward for effort I feel.”
With the top side falling, Bute found itself the last remaining unbeaten side after a nail-biting win at Virginia Oval.
After Bute nearly put the game to bed early with a five-goal-to-zero opening quarter, Virginia took advantage of the scoring end by rattling off six-to-zero in the second to head into the main break up by less than a goal.
As was the trend, the Roosters again piled on towards the scoring end, kicking 6.4 in the pivotal third quarter to open up a 27-point lead to defend over the game’s last 20 minutes.
The Rams came roaring home, almost stealing the result, but ultimately fell short as Bute held on in a big result for the club.
Bute president Jarrad Cock praised the work of the Trenorden brothers who were instrumental in the win.
“Henry Trenorden was hard at it in the midfield and was clearly best followed by his brother Jack,” he said.
“There was a very good crowd and we were rapt to see so many of our supporters travel… Virginia hosted a terrific day.”
In the last game of the round, Angle Vale fought valiantly, but ultimately were overrun by the visiting Mallala.
After heading into the first quarter break with a slender lead, the Owls couldn’t keep the visitors from hammering the scoreboard, with the final scoring-shot count finishing at 17-34 in Mallala’s favour.
Angle Vale showed real heart by kicking six goals in the final term to trim the margin to a respectable 11.6 (72) to 15.19 (109).