Poulter, Scott move clear at Masters

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Showman ... Poulter fired a blistering third round to move into the outright lead at Kingston Heath. Source:News Limited

Australian Masters defending champion Ian Poulter will take a one-shot lead over Australia's Adam Scott into what looms as a tantalising Sunday shoot-out at Melbourne's Kingston Heath.

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Poulter came from five shots off the lead at the start of Saturday's third round, shooting an eight-under-par 64, the round of the tournament so far, to seize the outright lead on 13-under.

Scott, who started the day three shots behind fellow Queenslander Matthew Guyatt - the leader for the first two days - shot 67 to climb to 12-under-par.

Guyatt, who started the day at 10-under, could manage only a 75 to be six shots from the lead, alone in third spot on seven-under.

His playing partner, New Zealand's Michael Hendry, who was outright second on Friday night, faltered badly with a 79 to fall 12 shots from the lead.

Scott, Australia's top-ranked player, is seeking his first Masters title and first win for the year, while Englishman Poulter is coming off a victory at his last start, when he charged home to win the HSBC Champions tournament in China.

While Scott can expect to have the crowd on his side on Sunday, that is unlikely to bother Poulter.

The Englishman amply demonstrated both his ability to perform on enemy territory and his love of head-to-head battles in spearheading Europe's remarkable Ryder Cup win in Chicago in September.

He also produced some stunning golf on Saturday.

Poulter notched eight birdies in his first 15 holes, helped by outstanding work with the putter, most notably sinking a monster birdie putt from off the front of the green on the seventh.

Scott's ball-striking was the key to his climb.

By the time the pair completed the eighth hole, they had joined Guyatt in the lead and overtook him soon after, with Poulter and Scott then exchanging the lead several times on the back nine.

They both reached 13-under after they birdied the par-three 15th, at which stage Poulter was threatening to match the course record of 63.

But both he and Scott dropped a shot on the par-four 16th and Scott let another go on the 17th to leave Poulter alone at the top.

Poulter then fired in a near-perfect second shot to set up a tap-in birdie at the last with Scott holing a good-sized putt to stay within a shot.

Scott predicted he would need a low final round to claim his first Masters title and first win of the year.

"I'm going to have to shoot something in the 60s to even think of having a chance,'' he said.

"Ian's playing beautiful so he's not going to fade away.''

While he dropped a shot at the 16th, he produced possibly the shot of the day on the tough par-four 18th, nearly holing a nine-iron to set up a tap-in birdie.

Scott had to sink a six-metre birdie putt to stay within a shot.

"I needed to make it,'' Scott said.

"I don't need to let Ian get any more comfortable up there than he probably is.

"He's high on confidence ... I need to stick right with him and keep the pressure on, even overnight.''

However Poulter dismissed talk that Sunday would be a one-on-one contest.

"It's strokeplay, it's all about not making mistakes, taking your chances and I'm fully aware that (other) guys can go out there tomorrow and shoot a low score,'' Poulter said.

Watch the thrilling conclusion to the Australian Masters Live and in HD from 12.30pm (EDT) Sunday on Fox Sports 3HD!

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Reds grind past Heart at Hindmarsh

The difference ... Neumann continued his dream run in the A-League with another goal. Source: News Limited

A Melbourne Heart defensive blunder gifted Adelaide United import Jeronimo Neumann the match winner in a 1-0 triumph in Saturday's A-League encounter at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Neumann's second-half strike ensured Adelaide will end the round no lower than second on the table, the Argentine benefiting from a mistake by Heart stalwart Simon Colosimo.

The Melbourne defender, under little pressure in the 58th minute, butchered what should have been a routine clearance by inexplicably passing straight to Adelaide's Marcelo Carrusca.

Carrusca delivered to Neumann, who closed on goal and launched a shot from 10 metres.

Colosimo, diving to try and block the shot and make amends, had his agony compounded when Neumann's left-footer deflected from the defender's leg and into the net.

Adelaide's fifth victory from seven matches came after the Heart opened strongly on foreign turf.

But the visitor's captain Matt Thompson missed two genuine chances in the initial 20 minutes and the tide rapidly turned in the latter stages of the half.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	7	5	1	1	6	16
2	Central Coast	6	4	1	1	7	13
3	Newcastle	6	4	0	2	1	12
4	Perth	6	3	1	2	2	10
5	Victory	6	3	0	3	-4	9
6	Brisbane	7	2	1	4	1	7
7	Heart	7	2	1	4	-1	7
8	Western Sydney	6	2	1	3	-1	7
9	Sydney	7	2	0	5	-9	6
10	Wellington	6	1	2	3	-2	5

The Reds crafted a series of scoring opportunities with Fabio Ferreira, Neumann and Evan Kostopoulos all unable to score from threatening positions.

Adelaide logged five shots on target to one in the opening half but Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton was on song, denying both Neumann and Ferreira with spectacular saves.

Bolton instinctively thrust an arm into the path of the ball as Neumann charged at him in the 38th minute and nine minutes later produced a fine diving save to his right to steer from danger a Ferreira left-footer.

But Bolton could do nothing to prevent Neumann scoring for the fourth time this campaign as the Heart slipped to their fourth loss of the season - and fourth defeat in their past five games.

Check out the stats at Match Centre!

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Soliman books bout with Sturm

The King ... Soliman (L) risks losing his shot at Geale by taking on the fight with Sturm. Source: News Limited

Veteran boxer Sam Soliman has received a lucrative but risky birthday present which could jeopardise his chances of fighting a fellow Australian for the IBF middleweight title.

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The No.1 ranked IBF contender, Soliman has signed to fight former champion Felix Sturm in Germany on February 2.

Soliman's manager David Stanley said the IBF granted champion Daniel Geale an exemption to fight Australian compatriot Anthony Mundine instead of his charge, provided the winner of that bout in Sydney on January 30 makes a mandatory defence by May 2.

Victorian Soliman could have waited for that opportunity, but that would have meant going just over eight months without a fight.

Instead he has opted to fight fourth-rated Sturm, who lost his WBA Super title to Geale in Germany in early September.

Geale was stripped of his WBA Super title for fighting Mundine instead of that organisation's standard WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

The contract to fight Sturm came through on Soliman's 39th birthday last Tuesday.

Stanley confirmed it would be one of the most lucrative purses of Soliman's career and recognised they were risking his mandatory entitlement by fighting Sturm.

Soliman's last fight was a title eliminator points win back on August 24 against Giovanni Lorenzo, a man Sturm has also got a decision against.

"It's about the ring rust," Stanley said.

"Sam is a professional boxer as well, so it's a good fight in terms of good prizemoney for Sam.

"Sam knows what he's doing, he's putting his number one mandatory entitlement up, but obviously Sturm has got a steaming desire to get back at Geale."

Soliman is likely to head to Europe three weeks before the bout.

He may spend part of that final preparation period training in either Britain or the Netherlands before heading over to Germany.

Meanwhile, former IBF junior welterweight world champion Lovemore Ndou is set to make his Mixed Martial Arts debut on December 1, when he fights Aswin Cabuy for the Combat 8 featherweight title at the Panthers club in Newcastle.

"I have been boxing for 27 years and I'm starting to get bored in this sport, I don't find it as challenging anymore despite my love for it," said Ndou, who ultimately aspires to win a UFC title.

"I know boxing only forms a little part of MMA, but I'm working really hard to master the other parts of mixed martial arts."

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Crows dodge draft bullet for now

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Bit of relief ... Brenton Sanderson is all smiles for now. Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

Adelaide Crows will keep all their picks in this year's draft after the AFL agreed to delay its hearing into claims of salary cap cheating.

A new hearing date is yet to be set but the league advised on Friday that next Thursday's national draft "will go ahead as normal".

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The Crows, expected to be stripped of picks as a penalty for illegal payments to forward Kurt Tippett, have selections 20, 54 and 64 in this year's draft.

The club, Tippett and officials Steven Trigg, John Reid and Phil Harper face a total of 11 charges relating to an alleged secret agreement with Tippett when he signed a new contract in 2009.

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The deal allegedly involved third-party payments of up to $300,000, unapproved third-party deals with Crows sponsors including Balfours Pies, and a promise to trade Tippett to a club of his choice for a second-round draft pick when the three-year contract expired.

The deal ran out this year and Tippett shocked the club by asking to be traded to Sydney Swans. The Crows stalled on the Swans' offer of a late first-round draft pick and fringe forward Jesse White, plunging the club into crisis.

The latest charges were laid on Thursday and the club and Harper requested more time to prepare their defence.

The Crows, football manager Harper, chief executive Trigg and former football operations manager Reid will all be represented separately at the commission hearing.

"The AFL has today advised the Club and Mr Harper, as well as Mr Trigg, Mr Reid and Adelaide Crows-listed player Kurt Tippett, that the Commission will provide the requested extra time, and that the hearing will not proceed on Monday as previously scheduled, to ensure that natural justice is provided," the league said in a statement.

"A new hearing date is yet to be set, but will be advised to all parties, the media and the wider football public as soon as it is determined.

"The 2012 NAB AFL draft will proceed as scheduled next week, Thursday November 22. The AFL has no further comment to make at this time."

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Vics-Blues Shield clash ends in draw

Stranded ... Henry missed the chance to notch his maiden first-class century. Source: News Limited

Victoria took first-innings points, but the weather had the final say on Friday as the Sheffield Shield clash with NSW petered out into a draw as just five overs were bowled at the SCG on the fourth and final day.

SHEF - Sydney Cricket Ground

13 November 2012 - Day 4, Session 3

New South Wales 2nd Innings

S. Henry	81	183	11	0	44.26
P. Nevill	61	110	6	0	55.45

After more than two hours were lost to rain on Wednesday, the weather set in again on Friday, with the morning session washed out.

Bad light halted play before tea just half an hour after the players made it into the middle with the Blues on 3-194 with a 157-run second-innings lead.

NSW opener Scott Henry (81 not out) was left stranded with a maiden century in his sights, and he was able to add just 10 runs with Peter Nevill (61 not out) to their 105-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Henry had a strong match, also scoring 78 at the top of the order during the Blues' first innings of 293, which also included a sparkling century from dumped Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

But it was not enough to deny the high-flying Bushrangers first-innings points - that was secured on Thursday on the back of some splendid batting from Chris Rogers (125) and skipper Cameron White (72).

Blues' paceman Mitchell Starc improved as the match went on, finishing with figures of 4-72 and the key scalps of Rogers, White and David Hussey before being announced on Friday in Australia's 13-man squad for the Adelaide Test starting next Thursday.

The two first-innings points put the Bushrangers back on top of the Shield ladder, in equal first place with Queensland on 20 points.

After a bright start to the season, NSW have endured a second straight game without picking up points and stay fourth on the competition ladder on eight points - though they have played just four games.

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Video: goal of the year nominees

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Top of the lot ... Will Lionel Messi's strike against Brazil be judged as the best? Source:AFP

There are curlers, screamers, bicycle kicks, long rangers and stunning volleys but no Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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FIFA announced its shortlist of the 10 goals of the year on the same day Zlatan's overhead goal against England sent the football world into meltdown.

Timing is everything, and FIFA say they won't bend the rules to get Ibra's goal added to the list.

At least we know one name on next year's voting.

And speaking of timing, on the same day as this year's list was announced, last year's winner Neymar of Brazil skied a penalty so badly it nearly went back over his own head.

The goal of the year award is named after Real Madrid and Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, who tormented defenders the world over during the 1950s.

Fans are invited to vote for their favourite on the FIFA website, with the winner being announced at the Ballon d'Or 2012 gala in January.

One belter that's missing is Papiss Cisse's goal for Newcastle against Chelsea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moHR8tzNeyA)

Did the shortlist panel miss any others? Have your say below!

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Zambia soccer team bus stoned in S Africa

TWO Zambia players were hurt on Wednesday night when the African champion's team bus was stoned while leaving the showpiece stadium for next year's Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene needed stitches in his head after the bus windows were shattered by "huge rocks" as the team left Johannesburg's Soccer City for its hotel, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said on Thursday.

Midfielder Felix Katongo was also injured in the incident that followed Zambia's friendly win.

"Very sad that the Zambian bus was stoned and Kennedy Mweene sustained a head injury," the FAZ said.

"Has had stitches and is OK, but the incident was shameful."

The South African Football Association told The Associated Press that two boys, aged 12 and 13, had been apprehended outside the stadium after the incident.

"SAFA condemns the incident in the strongest possible terms," association spokesman Dominic Chimhavi said, adding the youths were in police custody.

Mweene, who plays club football in South Africa, received treatment from team medical staff on the bus.

Katongo was thought to have only minor injuries.

Zambia had earlier beaten South Africa 1-0 at the 94,700-capacity Soccer City, the former World Cup venue which will host the opening game and the final at next year's African Cup.

The stoning completed a troubled night for the African Cup host after its disjointed team was outplayed by Zambia on a pitch that was in a poor state following a rock concert.

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Leisel Jones set to retire

Lethal ... Leisel Jones is set to announce her retirement from competitive swimming. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIA'S most experienced Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones calls a conference where it is expected she will announce her retirement from the pool.

Jones became the first Australian swimmer to compete at a fourth Olympic Games in London this year, where she finished fifth in the 100m breaststroke and collected a silver medal as a member of the women's 4x100m medley relay team.

That silver medal was the ninth Olympic medal of her illustrious career and she joined Ian Thorpe atop the list of most Olympic medals won by an Australian.

At 27 years of age, there is nothing Jones has not achieved in a 13-year international career and the desire to swim on next year was always going to be a question for the breaststroke queen.

Jones burst onto the scene as a 14-year-old at the 2000 Olympic trials in Sydney and later that same year became Australia's youngest Olympic medallist when she claimed silver in the 100m breaststroke as a 15-year-old.

Swimming Australia sent out a media alert late on Thursday afternoon for a Jones media opportunity at a Brisbane pool on Friday morning.

It is understood Jones has not returned to training since coming back from London and is going to officially end her reign as Australia's breaststroke superstar.

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Andrew Flintoff reveals bulimia battle

Fat Freddie drops ... the kilograms. Source: Samad Jewel / AFP

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff regularly threw up in cricket grounds and restaurants as he battled bulimia early in his career.

As he embarks on a sporting comeback as a heavyweight boxer, Flintoff has revealed how lost 15kg during his struggle with the easting disorder.

"I used to be a really skinny kid, I used to be tall and skinny and I didn't drink, I didn't do much," Flintoff explained in a documentary to be aired in England later this month.

"Then I started putting weight on. I got to about 19 and a half to 20 stone.

"It was all a bit deeper than that because to lose the weight, I wasn't really sure how to go about it. I started being sick, I was sick a lot. I would eat and I would be sick.

"I would be doing it myself. I would put my fingers down my throat and everyone within the team hierarchy thought it was great because I was losing weight.

"I've thrown up in cricket grounds around the world, in restaurants, all sorts, and I lost about 15kg by doing that.

"It's not the right way to go, which I am very aware of. You start off doing it if you have a bad meal, you eat something you don't think you should have eaten or you have drunk too much.

"Then before you know it, even good meals you are getting rid of. It becomes a real habit. The only way really to lose weight is to train more and eat less, eat the right things."

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Late wickets put Blues on top

Big finish ... The Blues ended day two with a couple of late wickets. Source: News Limited

Two late wickets in fading light gave NSW the ascendancy in their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria after day two at the SCG.

SHEF - Sydney Cricket Ground

13 November 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

Victoria 1st Innings

C. Rogers	84	178	12	0	47.19
C. White	2	5	0	0	40

In a rain-marred day of cricket, the Blues snared the wickets of Glenn Maxwell (39) and Peter Hanscomb (0) in the five-over period between rain delays in the final session.

The dual blow, delivered in tandem by Stephen O'Keefe and Josh Hazlewood, left the Bushrangers in a vulnerable state at 5-177, still 116 short of NSW's first-innings total of 293 set on Tuesday.

Former Test opener Chris Rogers looked faultless on Wednesday, playing confidently despite the overcast skies contributing to more bowler-friendly conditions than those on offer on day one.

The 35-year-old smashed 12 boundaries, including several sparkling cover drives, to reach an unbeaten 84 before play was finally called off due to bad light.

By putting together a 69-run partnership with fellow opener Ryan Carters (33) and another 81-run effort with Glenn Maxwell (39), Rogers regularly frustrated the much-vaunted NSW pace attack.

Led by Test aspirant Mitchell Starc, and boasting big names Doug Bollinger and Hazlewood (1-45), the Blues were expected to make the most of the helpful conditions.

While Starc (1-50) did little to enhance his chance of earning a recall to the Australia team for Thursday week's Adelaide Test, vastly-improved all-rounder Moises Henriques looked the pick of the bowlers.

The lively medium-pacer finished with the economical figures of 2-13 and snared the valuable scalps of Carters and Aaron Finch (8), both caught behind.

It was O'Keefe (1-31) who broke up the most dangerous partnership of the innings when he enticed Maxwell into a loose drive which hung in the air until mid-off Starc took a fine catch over his head.

Starc's one victim was veteran Bushranger David Hussey, who was cramped for space when the left-armer came around the wicket and played onto his stumps on nine.

Due to the time lost to poor weather on Wednesday, play will start half an hour early, at 10.30am AEDT, on Thursday.

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