Adelaide University Football Club’s new floodlights fail during inaugural night fixture

ADELAIDE University Football Club is confident the blackout that marred its inaugural night fixture is a one-off.

Adelaide University Football Club football director Adrian Howard with president Michael Dadds at University Ovals.

ADELAIDE University Football Club is confident the blackout that marred its inaugural night fixture is a one-off.

The Blacks were forced to cut their B-grade game against St Peter’s Old Collegians short and postpone the A grade after two light towers blew on April 4.

Adelaide University football manager Adrian Howard said contractors had told the club either a power surge or a faulty motor in the electronic scoreboard had caused the blowout.

He said the four 25m light towers, installed at the club’s War Memorial Drive home ground in February, would be tested in the coming weeks and the club’s next night match — against Goodwood on Anzac Day — should go ahead as planned.

“Both clubs and players were quite excited by it (night game), there was a reasonable crowd there and it was a beautiful night for it,” Howard said.

“Everything was looking good but unfortunately something out of everyone’s control happened.

“They’ll replace the motor and switchboard, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“At this stage, it’s just one of those things.”

Howard said the two towers went out and the scoreboard flickered during the third quarter of the B-grade match.

One tower came back on but by then the clubs had agreed to stop the game and award the win to the Blacks, who were leading.

They also decided to play the A grade the following day.

Adelaide University prevailed 9.12 (66) to 7.6 (48).

The Blacks sought new lights last year so they could schedule night games to avoid clashes with AFL games at the revamped Adelaide Oval.

The $270,000 towers were funded through a $135,000 State Government grant and contributions from Adelaide University, the AFL and Adelaide City Council.