Wanderers exact derby revenge

Sweet revenge ... Beauchamp scores the winner against his old club. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Western Sydney turned the tables on cross-town rivals Sydney FC with a classy 2-0 win in their A-League derby at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

After losing 1-0 at home in the first clash between the sides in October, the Wanderers always looked in control as they sealed a sweet maiden derby triumph in front of 26,176 fans.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said the win against his former club ranked as one of the club's greatest moments yet.

"There've been a lot of milestones at this club from the first pre-season game, winning our first (A-League) game against Brisbane, now this one," Popovic said.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	11	8	2	1	13	26
2	Adelaide	10	7	1	2	8	22
3	Victory	11	5	2	4	-3	17
4	Western Sydney	11	5	1	5	0	16
5	Perth	11	4	2	5	2	14
6	Newcastle	11	4	1	6	-8	13
7	Wellington	10	3	3	4	1	12
8	Heart	11	3	3	5	-2	12
9	Brisbane	11	3	2	6	0	11
10	Sydney	11	3	1	7	-11	10

"This was sweet. This was special. I certainly enjoyed that."

Popovic said the performance illustrated how far his side had come since the derby loss at Parramatta Stadium, when the coach felt his side had been overawed.

"We matched them this time with intensity," he said.

"... I think it just shows how much we've improved as a club, from round three to now. We're certainly on the right track."

Goals in either half to Ethiopian-born midfielder Youssouf Hersi and captain Michael Beauchamp ensured the Wanderers climbed up to fourth spot and continued a superb debut season.

The Sky Blues remain last after failing to build on a valuable win away to Wellington last week.

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They welcomed back Brett Emerton and Terry Antonis from Socceroos duty but marquee star Alessandro Del Piero started on the bench as he continues to battle a troublesome hamstring.

The Italian striker came on with 20 minutes to go but had little impact as the Sky Blues struggled to penetrate a well-organised Western Sydney defence.

The early stages were evenly contested but the Wanderers quickly began causing problems for Sydney's defence.

Mateo Poljak was allowed space to shoot in the eighth minute but his effort went just wide.

Lacopo La Rocca also wasted a good chance before Shinji Ono came close with an ambitious volley in the 17th minute.

Western Sydney continued to mount pressure and capitalised when Hersi struck his first A-League goal in the 24th minute.

Sydney defender Seb Ryall failed to clear a dangerous Jerome Polenz cross and Hersi showed great composure to turn and score from close range.

Ono almost doubled the advantage six minutes later with a curling, long-range effort floating just wide.

Sydney created little in attack with Adam Griffiths wasting their best chance of the half, hitting a header wide from Jason Culina's 33rd minute free kick.

Sky Blues coach Frank Farina injected Ali Abbas off the bench midway through the second half but the home fans got the substitution they wanted when Del Piero replaced Culina in the 70th minute.

However it failed to halt the Wanderers, who doubled their advantage seven minutes later.

Sydney were again punished for failing to clear, with Ono's cross finding its way to Beauchamp on the back post and the former Sky Blues defender smashed it into the roof of the net.

Farina gave an honest assessment of the performance, and the job ahead for the club.

"I think the disappointing thing is we were outplayed tonight pretty much on all fronts," Farina said.

"You've got to be honest about it. They were more enthusiastic and it's disappointing coming off the back of a good win last week and not being able to back it up, at least performance-wise.

"We've got work to do. I knew that when I came here and we have to try and get that consistency."

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Stars edge out Hurricanes at MCG

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Close call ... this seagull escaped after nearly copping Cameron White's bat. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Melbourne Stars all-rounder James Faulkner has survived an appeal for handling the ball to steer his side to a tight KFC T20 Big Bash League win over Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

15 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

J. Faulkner	6	4	1	0	150
P. Handscomb	2	2	0	0	100
E. Gulbis	3.1	0	28	0	8.84

Chasing just 135 to win, the Stars made tough work of their chase before getting home with five balls and four wickets in hand on Saturday night.

Faulkner was given not out off a handling-the-ball appeal in the penultimate over, bowled by medium-pacer Ben Laughlin (3-14), who almost proved a match-winner.

But with just five needed off Evan Gulbis' final over, Faulkner top-edged the first ball for four, before a no-ball finished the game.

Faulkner said fellow Tasmanian Laughlin was "clutching at straws" with his vehement appeal for handling the ball.

"He's like that all the time, he carries on like a two-bob watch, what you see is what you get," Faulkner said.

"Having said that, he was one of the first to come up and shake hands."

Hurricanes skipper George Bailey agreed there was nothing in it.

"Benny Laughlin gets pretty excited, I think Jimmy Faulkner gets pretty excited. They're both pretty competitive," Bailey said.

"I think even Benny when he saw the replay realised there wasn't much in it."

The Stars had struggled early in their chase in the face of a fiery opening spell from left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, whose first two overs were just the third and fourth maidens of the BBL season.

But after reaching just 1-38 from their first eight overs, the introduction of New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris for the ninth proved disastrous for Hobart, yielding 21 runs including three sixes.

Despite losing three wickets in the next five overs, including two in a quality spell from Laughlin, the Stars were always likely winners from that point.

Laughlin bowled a tight 19th over, which included the appeal against Faulkner when the ball brushed his hand after he fended a delivery off his body.

Earlier, the Hurricanes struggled to 8-134, with Stars quicks Clint McKay (3-25), Faulkner (2-23) and in-form Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga (2-19) dominating with 7-67 between them.

Tim Paine (46 from 46 balls) was Hobart's top-scorer, while Styris (24 off 17) provided some inventive shot-making late, but Ricky Ponting (eight) failed in possibly his last MCG innings.

The Stars have now won two of three games and the Hurricanes one of two.

Man of the match McKay said the Stars were building momentum but had clear areas to work on.

"We're always looking to improve and play the perfect game that coach Greg Shipperd talks about and get a bit more clinical with the batting," he said.

"But at the end of the day we got over the line and got the points and that's what we came here tonight to do and it sets us up beautifully."

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Fight for Life: league trumps rugby

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Fight for Life ... Gallen and Bird win their respective bouts. Source: Gregg porteous / News Limited

Rugby league dominants with a 3-1 victory over rugby union at the explosive, wild and ruthless Fight for Life charity boxing event in Auckland.

NRL players Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Manu Vatuvei all won their bouts over three two-minute rounds at the Fight for Life event in Auckland.

Former All Black Carlos Spencer got one back for rugby, while Willie Mason and another ex-All Black, Troy Flavell, fought out a draw in the battle of the big boys.

NSW skipper Gallen proved the surprise packet with a unanimous decision against All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot.

At the weigh-in, Gallen had talked down his abilities against an opponent who boasted a 62-0 record in karate.

But the Cronulla forward picked his moments to throw punches and was able to find a target with a series of combinations.

"I didn't want to be over-confident, to be honest,'' he said.

"I heard so much about the bloke and how good a fighter he was, I just wanted to go out there and do what my trainer told me.''

Gallen said he privately backed himself, even if all the talk about Elliot's ability had made him nervous.

Despite his clear-cut victory, he won't be hurrying back into the ring.

"I've got no plans to be a boxer.''

Gallen won despite carrying an elbow injury from training a couple of weeks ago and for which he will have surgery on.

He said the rehabilitation period was only a fortnight, so he would be 100 per cent for the start of the NRL season.

Vatuvei also got all the judges' votes against London Games rowing gold medallist Eric Murray.

The Warriors winger couldn't quite tag Murray with a big shot, his opponent managing mostly to keep himself out of range, but he was buzzing after the fight.

"It was an awesome feeling,'' he said.

"I'm happy I jumped in. Eric and I went in to put on a good show and hopefully everyone enjoyed it.''

Bird won an incident-filled contest over Auckland Blues back Rene Ranger via a split decision.

Bird was caught flush with a right hand in the second round and dropped to the canvas.

But Ranger was docked two points for throwing the punch after the referee had called for the fighters to break.

"I've copped bigger hits than that on the footy paddock,'' Bird said.

"I'll be right. The head's pretty solid.''

Spencer won a majority verdict over former Kiwi Jarrod McCracken.

The bout developed some feeling, with Spencer unhappy with some of McCracken's tactics, including a couple of punches thrown when Spencer's back was turned.

"A win's a win,'' he said.

"It was more like a league match than a boxing match.''

Mason and Flavell provided plenty of entertainment with a mix of big punches and occasional wrestling, and couldn't be separated by the judges.

In a six-round women's lightweight professional bout, New Zealander Daniella Smith's aggressiveness paid dividends as she beat Australian Lauryn Eagle by unanimous decision.

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Video: view from behind the stumps

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Cop that ... Paine gave viewers a unique perspective of the action. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Ever wondered what it's like to wicketkeep up to the stumps to someone bowling 120 kilometres per hour?

You can be a step closer to finding out by watching the video at the top of the page.

Hobart Hurricanes wicketkeeper Tim Paine took Fox Sports viewers into the thick of the action when he had a go wearing helmet cam while 'keeping up to the stumps to the bowling of Scott Styris during the KFC T20 Big Bash League clash with Melbourne Stars.

Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the pictures weren't great as Styris was belted for 21 runs from the over by Stars batsmen Rob Quiney and Brad Hodge.

That wasn't the only treat for those watching the game on television, with the 'Third Eye' camera on the umpire's hat helping plenty of people have a chuckle at the expense of Jeff Joshua, who had to jump to the ground to avoid a firmly-struck ball by Rob Quiney. 

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Bolton gifts Mariners victory

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Double ... Pedj Bojic puts two past Melbourne Heart keeper Clint Bolton. Picture: Liam Driver. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

A brace from Pedj Bojic secures the Central Coast a 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart to extend the Mariners' unbeaten run to eight games and consolidate their place at the A-League's summit.

It was a case of history repeating with Bojic, scoring the winning in the Mariners 1-0 win over the Heart in their last meeting, sinking the visitors with two second-half goals at Bluetongue Stadium.

Heart's veteran gloveman Clint Bolton will want to forget his sloppy keeping gifting Bojic his first goal and he should have done better to save his second.

The loss leaves the Heart in seventh place.

Melbourne had a defensive game plan from the outset not attempting one shot on goal in the opening half, while the table-topping Mariners ran riot in the front third.

Bojic looked like netting four minutes in, curling a free-kick from about 25 metres out to force a spectacular save from Bolton.

The Mariners had another chance just before the half-hour mark when Joshua Rose beat the Heart defence with a through-ball to Berni Ibini, who instead of passing the ball to the waiting Daniel McBreen, went for glory himself with Bolton saving the effort.

The Mariners had a flurry of chances late in the opening half but the stoic Heart defence of Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt managed to keep them scoreless.

Bojic finally opened the scoring in the the 49th minute with what looked like an innocuous long range strike but Bolton made a meal of saving the effort letting it slip through his hands and into the back of the net.

McBreen, currently the league's top scorer, looked like adding to his tally of nine goals this season keeping Bolton busy with a long range shot.

Socceroo tyro Tomas Rogic, who was kept relatively quiet, set McBreen up for another but the veteran striker sent it sailing over the crossbar.

Bojic continued to be Bolton's nightmare when the keeper was unable to save his dipping free-kick in the 69th minute putting the Mariners 2-0 up.

McBreen outpaced Gerhardt and could have put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining but didn't get a clean connection.

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Renegades cruise past Thunder

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On top ... Muralitharan stars in the Renegades win over the Thunder. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Sydney Thunder's ice-cool cavalry arrived on Friday night in the form of Chris Gayle, but the West Indies superstar was unable to save the Big Bash League franchise's blushes in a five-wicket loss to the Melbourne Renegades at ANZ Stadium.

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Gayle was run out by Darren Pattinson for 12 in the fifth over when his sliding bat became stuck in the soft grass adjacent to the wicket, the dismissal starting a rapid rot as the Thunder were restricted to just 7-116.

It was never going to be enough and so it proved as a cautious 31 from Renegades captain Aaron Finch, who earlier sent the hosts in, laid the platform for the Thunder's seventh consecutive Twenty20 loss.

Finch, who hammered an unbeaten 111 in the season opener against the Melbourne Stars, took a risk-averse approach and left the visitors needing 50 off 52 balls when he was caught behind off Sean Abbott.

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But according to the Renegades skipper, this was partly due to a fiery opening spell from Dirk Nannes, which forced the chase to stay conservative.

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"That's right up there with the best first couple of overs I've faced in Twenty20 cricket," Finch said.

"It was fast, it was swinging late and he had his radar on.

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"In a small run chase you need to get off to a good start because things can snowball ... we took our medicine against Dirk and played pretty well."

Nannes described the loss as frustrating, given his side's work with the ball.

"I thought we bowled pretty well as a whole, but we were short with the bat," Nannes said.

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"We've just got to talk about our intent a little bit.

"At the moment we're ... either defending or trying to hit it for four, and you're not going to win a lot of games doing that.

"Bowling we're right, fielding we're right. If we can manage the stick a little bit better we'll be a decent team."

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There threatened to be some late drama when Tom Cooper (11) and Ben Rohrer (27) fell in the space of 11 balls shortly after Finch's exit, but the Thunder simply didn't have enough runs to play with.

Will Sheridan brought up the winning runs with 10 deliveries remaining in front of 7413 fans.

Express paceman Nannes bowled with great venom, typified by speeds of almost 150km/h and a crunching collision with Renegades opener Daniel Harris, and was unlucky to only capture the wicket of Cooper.

Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood, like Gayle playing his first game of the BBL season, had Harris out edging and clean bowled Marlon Samuels with a full toss to give the hosts hope in the fledgling stage of the Renegades' at-times unconvincing chase.

Earlier, Gayle launched a towering six over the head of mid-on from Sheridan's bowling, while Usman Khawaja was starting to look comfortable when the hosts reached 0-23 after four overs.

Gayle's departure was followed by a slew of wickets - the vast majority from poor shot selection while the run-rate dried up - as the Thunder crumbled to just 7-60 in the 14th over.

The lusty hitting of tailender Chris Tremain (37no from 23 balls) pushed the Thunder's total past 100, but the fact the No.9 was the only batsman to pass 20 encapsulated an innings that unravelled far too easily.

Aaron O'Brien claimed figures of 3-15 to be the Renegades' best bowler, while Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan deceived Khawaja (19) and Mark Cosgrove (12) to snare 2-16 from his four overs.

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Zhang joins Popovic in PGA lead

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Joint leader ... Daniel Popovic continues his dream run at the Australian PGA. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Battler Daniel Popovic worked as a stop-go traffic man and pizza-maker in Melbourne to fund the dream he is living at the Australian PGA.

The Victorian produces a classy two-under 70 at Coolum to stay in the lead and fortify his confidence for the biggest weekend of his life.

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China's Zhang Xin Jun (67-67) joines him to share the lead at 10 under but 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (67-69) is just two shots adrift beside young gun Matt Griffin (69-67), a tournament winner in South Korea three months ago.

Former British Open champion Darren Clarke (70-69) did a fine job of holding it together for a share of 10th after being ill on course.

Popovic led by five early in the day, playing beautifully for four birdies until a punched nine-iron over the 15th green led to a double-bogey seven.

"Being the hunted ... it feels fantastic and I hope it happens a lot more often," Popovic said.

He tossed and turned and barely slept after his 64 led the field on Thursday.

"My confidence over the putter is unbelievable and I hope I can play every single round for the rest of my life with that confidence," he said.

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Not so long ago, he was putting toppings on supreme pizzas at Pompeo's in Doncaster East in Melbourne.

"I was making pizzas for five years and I worked for months as a traffic controller with a stop-go sign to get the money to go to European Tour School in 2010," Popovic said.

Popovic's mum Mila cried when he rang her after his 64 and she was too nervous to watch her son on TV. His father Radi was in hospital getting blood tests for his bone cancer on Thursday and his anxiety about flying will stop him joining his son at Coolum.

Zhang, 25, missed a 2m par putt on the last when the outright lead was his for the taking after five birdies on the back nine had twice nudged his nose in front.

Greg Norman said on tournament eve that "China will take over the West in 20 years" in golf terms and Zhang is more living proof.

Zhang, from a village in western China, left school at 15 imagining that life as a security guard would provide a $95-a-month wage to help support his farmer parents.

His first assignment after training was at a golf course where he was gripped by the game, hit the driving range and was representing Team China within five years. 

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Dodd's double shoots down Jets

Dodd double ... Perth Glory celebrate Travis Dodd's first goal. Source: Faith Moran / News Limited

Perth midfielder Travis Dodd scores a brace and Shane Smeltz chipped in with a controversial goal to inspire Glory to a 3-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium.

The Jets entered the match with a cloud hanging over their future after the Australian Tax Office applied to have both them and NRL outfit Newcastle Knights wound up due to unpaid debts.

The week got worse for the Jets when Dodd scored in the 45th and 49th minutes, before Smeltz won and converted a questionable penalty in the 75th minute.

"If he's deemed it's a penalty, it's a penalty.

"I want the players and the game to have the headlines rather than referees. So let's just try to keep it that way.''

Glory coach Ian Ferguson said it was a relief to break the club's five-match winless run, but admitted his team were lucky to be awarded the penalty.

"From where I was sitting it was a bit soft, but I'll take it,'' Ferguson said.

"These are the things I speak about when you say you need that bit of luck, and we got it tonight.

"There was a lot of pressure on us tonight and to get the 3-0 victory was pleasing.''

Perth's first win in six games lifted them from eighth into fourth on the table, while the Jets, who have lost four of their past five games, slipped to sixth.

Glory created a glut of chances in the opening half, but Newcastle should have opened the scoring in the fifth minute when James Virgili streamed into the box with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Danny Vukovic pulled off a good save with his legs to deny Virgili, and Jets goalkeeper Matthew Nash had to pull off some heroics of his own at the other end to keep out wave after wave of attacking forays from Perth.

But a defensive mistake from debutant Jets midfielder Mitchell Oxborrow opened the door for Perth on the stroke of half-time, with Dodd intercepting the weak pass before unleashing a cool strike to finally beat Nash.

Dodd was at it again shortly after the break, with the former Adelaide skipper capitalising on a quickly-taken Glory corner to head home the second goal of the match.

And Jets coach Gary van Egmond was left clearly aggrieved when Perth were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute despite defender Josh Mitchell making contact with the ball first in a tackle on Smeltz..

Marquee Jets striker Emile Heskey had a quiet match, with the former England international well held by Glory's defence.

And Perth had extra reason to celebrate the win after captain Jacob Burns managed to stay out of the referee's book for the first time this season.

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Heat trump Strikers in BBL thriller

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Powerful ... Kireon Pollard wasted little time adjusting to life in the Big Bash. Source:News Limited

West Indian whirlwind Kieron 'Polly' Pollard played a cracker for Adelaide Strikers but Brisbane Heat pinched a dramatic last-ball win in Thursday night's KFC T20 Big Bash League match.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

13 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Heat 1st Innings

P. Forrest	12	7	0	1	171.43
C. Hartley	5	2	1	0	250
G. Putland	4	0	39	0	9.75

Pollard, a day after arriving in Adelaide, smashed 48 runs from just 23 balls as the Strikers posted 8-185 from their 20 overs.

The Trinidad star then took two clutch wickets and fluked a run out as Brisbane were left with four runs to win from the final ball.

Brisbane's Chris Hartley hit the ultimate delivery from Striker speedster Gary Putland over cover towards the boundary and the batsmen ran three as Callum Ferguson dived to stop the ball.

But replays showed Ferguson failed by a whisker to halt the ball and, after an agonising minute-long review as players stood mid-pitch awaiting the verdict, the Heat were winners, finishing 7-186.

"I'm still trying to work out what happened," Hartley said of hitting the final ball for four to win.

"It's a cliche in cricket, but the more you think about what you're trying to do, the more you usually stuff up.

"A little bit of luck goes your way ... and you're able to take advantage of it but there are no secret formulas."

Adelaide captain Johan Botha said the loss was particularly bitter.

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"It's never nice to lose close games," he said.

Botha remained uncertain from initial replays whether Hartley's strike was a four.

"The one replay we saw on the field, you can't say from that far out from the big screen," he said.

Brisbane's run chase was on track when one-time ticking time bomb Luke Pomersbach exploded with the bat, making 65 from 39 balls.

Pomersbach, who considers himself lucky to be alive after a period of alcohol abuse, hit eight fours and two sixes to propel Brisbane to 1-105 in the 12th over.

But in the next 14 balls, Adelaide's Pollard claimed Joe Burns (37 from 30 balls), Pomersbach fell to spinner Cameron Boyce, and Pollard struck again to dismiss Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera.

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And with the Heat needing 35 runs from their final three overs, Pollard dropped a tough caught and bowled chance from Chris Lynn, only to watch the ball rebound into the bowler's end stumps with Brisbane's Ben Cutting stranded out of his crease.

The Heat required 14 runs from Putland's final over, with Peter Forrest blasting a six before Hartley's last-ball heroics.

Earlier the Strikers made 8-185 with Pollard muscling three sixes and five fours to overshadow his teammate Ferguson's stylish 52 from 36 balls.

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Clive wants Coolum stay for Aussie PGA

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Confident ... Clive Palmer wants the Aussie PGA to stay at Coolum. Source: Megan Slade / News Limited

Billionaire Clive Palmer has dismissed reports the Australian PGA Championship is being played at his Coolum resort for the last time.

PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn revealed earlier this week ongoing discussions with current hosts Palmer Coolum Resort had failed to reach a new hosting agreement despite months of talks.

But Palmer was bullish when asked his thoughts on losing the tournament at a press conference on the Gold Coast on Thursday.

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"I think the PGA will stay at Palmer Coolum Resort ... I'm pretty confident there's not a better place in Australia to have the PGA," he said.

"It's got all the facilities. It's got international standing and, as we know, the players love it.

"The PGA is the Professional Golfers' Association so if the players love it, the ayes have got the number.

"I'm sure it's going to stay there."

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What will definitely be staying regardless of where the PGA is hosted is Palmer's controversial animatronic dinosaur - a lifesize Tyrannosaurus Rex called Jeff.

The large model, the first of several dinosaur replicas Palmer plans to install, moves and growls and has caused much debate in the build up to this week's tournament.

Large signs dedicated to assassinated US president John F Kennedy as well as promoting Palmer's Titanic II project have also caused a stir.

But Palmer says golfers, signs and dinosaurs will come together in harmony for next year's event.

"I don't think the PGA is annoyed," Palmer said.

"I think they love it. They love the media attention. They love how the brand's being sent around the world.

"I'm sure the board is very happy with what's happening at Palmer Coolum Resort, so happy they want to come back next year and we want to have them."

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India start strongly against England

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Fourth Test ... Ishant Sharma struck early for India in Nagpur. Source: David Mariuz / News Limited

India made a strong start in their quest to level the four-match series after reducing England to 5-199 at stumps on day one in Nagpur.

In what can best be described as a turgid opening day's Test cricket, England's batsmen struggled to adapt to a slow, low pitch at the VCA Stadium, with only Kevin Pietersen (73) reaching a half-century.

4th Test - Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

13 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

England 1st Innings

J. Root	31	110	1	0	28.18
M. Prior	34	83	3	0	40.96
I. Sharma	19	7	32	2	1.68

Pietersen's contribution helped England recover from 2-16 after Alastair Cook, fresh from winning his first toss as captain, and opening partner Nick Compton had fallen early to Ishant Sharma (2-32).

Pietersen and Jonathan Trott shared an 86-run partnership for the third wicket to put the tourists back on track, however the former failed to kick on and join Cook on 23 Test centuries when he clipped debutant Ravindra Jadeja (2-34) to Piyush Chawla at midwicket shortly after tea.

Jadeja had accounted for Trott earlier in the afternoon, while Warwickshire team-mate Ian Bell (1) fell cheaply to Piyush Chawla, but England debutant Joe Root and Matt Prior shared an unbroken 60-run partnership in the evening session to lift spirits heading into day two.

Root, selected at No.6 in place of Samit Patel in one of two changes made by England - Tim Bresnan also replacing the injured Steven Finn, reached the close unbeaten on 31, with Prior (34no) playing a useful hand alongside him.

Having won the toss for first time in the series at the start of the day, England captain Cook opted to bat first - however it was a decision he may have been regretting when he became the second wicket to fall inside 11 overs.

Somerset batsman Compton, who has been awarded an incremental contract by the ECB after playing in four successive Tests, managed just three before he was back in the pavilion, with the opener edging a short delivery from Ishant (2-25) through to MS Dhoni.

Sharma also removed Cook, although in controversial circumstances. Cook (1) was struck on the pads outside off stump by a delivery that was angling away, however umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger - and with no DRS in play, there was little the England captain could do.

Trott and Pietersen safely negotiated the rest of the morning session and calmly took the score along to 2-102 before an inexplicable lapse in concentration led to the England No.3's demise.

After compiling 44 in some 133 balls, Trott's stay came to an end when he left a straight delivery from India left-arm off-spinner Jadeja, which knocked back off-stump

Fellow Warwickshire Bear Bell then came to the middle, however he struggled to come to turns with the slow, low surface, making just one from 28 deliveries before driving Piyush Chawla (1-25) straight to short cover, where Virat Kohli took a sharp, low catch.

Pietersen carried on undeterred and, having passed 50 for the 28th time in Tests, he then went past 15,000 career first-class runs.

But he could not go on, falling into the trap set by Dhoni after two near misses when he clipped Jadeja to Chawla, who caught well diving forward.

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13370_1,00.html

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Chelsea into Club World Cup final

Juan Mata ... scored the first goal in Chelsea's 3-1 victory in Yokohama. Source: AAP

Chelsea eased into the final of the Club World Cup with a comfortable 3-1 win over Monterrey in Yokohama on Thursday.

Juan Mata set Chelsea on their way with the opener in the first half and two quick-fire second half goals from Fernando Torres and an unfortunate own goal from Darvin Chavez earned the Barclays Premier League side victory.

Chelsea will now face South American champions Corinthians in Sunday's final.

Chelsea made the breakthrough with a fine effort from the in-form Mata.

Ashley Cole played a neat one-two with Oscar, with the Brazilian cleverly flicking the ball back into the path of the full-back, who in turn picked out Mata inside the box and the Spaniard drilled home his left-footed shot to claim his 11th goal of the season.

Chelsea came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half and scored two goals in two minutes right after the restart to put the game beyond the Mexican side.

Hazard was the creator of the second goal as he burst past the full-back and cut the ball back for Torres who saw his shot take a massive deflection to totally wrongfoot Jonathan Orozco in the Monterrey goal.

Chelsea made it 3-0 on 48 minutes as Torres got down the left and picked out Mata at the far post and his effort was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Darvin Chavez.

Monterrey pushed forward in search of a consolation goal in the closing stages and they got it injury-time as de Nigris got clear and lifted his shot over Cech, but it mattered little as Chelsea coasted into the final.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/280592/report

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Red Devils welcome back skipper

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Welcome ... Nemanja Vidic has overcome his knee injury. Source:AAP

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Nemanja Vidic's timely return from injury is a 'big bonus' for Manchester United.

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The commanding centre-half has been sidelined since 19th September after being forced to undergo another knee operation.

Vidic is, however, hoping to put an injury-ravaged period of his Old Trafford career firmly behind him and rejoin United's quest to wrestle the Barclays Premier League crown back from arch-rivals Manchester City.

Sunday's derby date with City came too soon for the Serbia international, but he will come into contention for Saturday's home tie with Sunderland, and Ferguson is delighted to have his skipper back in the fold after seeing Jonny Evans limp out of action at the Etihad Stadium

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"It would have been crazy to play him against City but against Sunderland...definitely," said Ferguson.

"It's a big bonus to have him back. He is a real competitor with that uncompromising way of his. He likes defending - that's what it is.

"In the last 18 months he has only had 10 games or something. It is not many games that he has played.

"Now he has no pain in the knee, and it's a different knee to the one he did his cruciate on."

"It's a big bonus to have him back. He is a real competitor with that uncompromising way of his."

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With United having looked uncharacteristically fragile at the back this season, keeping just four clean sheets in 24 fixtures, Ferguson is looking for Vidic to help plug the leaks.

He added: "He's under pressure isn't he? But he'll make a difference, absolutely. He gives us the options.

"And to have senior players like that, it's helpful."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8326183/Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-delighted-to-have-Nemanja-Vidic-back

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Man City still EPL's best: Mancini

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Top two ... Mancini insists Man City are the best in the EPL. Source: Clint Hughes / AP

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City are a better team than Manchester United, despite trailing their rivals in the Barclays Premier League title race.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	16	13	0	3	17	39
2	Man City	16	9	6	1	16	33
3	Chelsea	16	8	5	3	11	29
4	Everton	16	6	8	2	7	26
5	Tottenham	16	8	2	6	4	26
6	West Brom	16	8	2	6	3	26
7	Arsenal	16	6	6	4	10	24
8	Swansea	16	6	5	5	5	23
9	Stoke	16	5	8	3	2	23
10	Liverpool	16	5	7	4	2	22
11	West Ham	16	6	4	6	1	22
12	Norwich	16	5	7	4	-7	22
13	Fulham	16	5	5	6	0	20
14	Newcastle	16	4	5	7	-5	17
15	Sunderland	16	3	7	6	-4	16
16	Southampton	16	4	3	9	-10	15
17	Aston Villa	16	3	6	7	-11	15
18	Wigan	16	4	3	9	-13	15
19	Reading	16	1	6	9	-12	9
20	QPR	16	0	7	9	-16	7

A 3-2 derby defeat at the Etihad Stadium has left City six points adrift of their neighbours approaching the busy festive period.

City proved last season they cannot be underestimated, as they snatched the EPL crown in the most dramatic of circumstances, but United are determined to ensure history does not repeat itself.

Mancini is aware his side face a tough task in their efforts to mount a successful defence of their title, but feels City are still the best side in England, regardless of what the standings may suggest.

He said: "Things aren't going well but I know we will still have a great year.

"United have more experience but we have a much better team and play much better football.

"Six points is not a big difference with 24 games still to play.

"We need to try and win five or six games in a row to try and reduce the gap."

Mancini added: "Even though we lost on Sunday, we showed we are a really strong team and can win the title again.

"We were unlucky. We dominated long spells of that game and did not deserve to lose.

"The Premier League is the best campaign in the world at the moment and as we know from winning last year, you can lose a game in the last second."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8326933/Roberto-Mancini-considers-Manchester-City-to-be-the-best-team-in-England

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Malinga helps Stars destroy Perth

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Job done ... Luke Wright only batted for two overs in the Stars' victory. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

The finish might have been farcical but Melbourne Stars bounced back to thrash Perth Scorchers by 10 wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis system at the WACA Ground.

T20 - WACA Ground

12 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

R. Quiney	1	2	0	0	50
L. Wright	23	11	4	1	209.09
H. Cartwright	0.1	0	0	0	0.00

The Stars completely dominated the Scorchers, bowling them out for just 69 with Lasith Malinga taking an Australian domestic Twenty20 best of 6-7.

The visitors then raced to 0-29 after two overs before heavy rain fell, forcing the players from the field for over an hour.

The game came within 10 minutes of being called off, but the rain eventually eased to allow play to resume.

Well ahead under the Duckworth-Lewis system at 0-29 from two overs chasing just 70 to win, the game bizarrely needed just one more delivery for a result.

The innings had been reduced to six overs but because Melbourne had already passed the reworked target of 0-6 to win, only one more delivery was bowled by Hilton Cartwright before the Stars were declared winners.

Earlier, Malinga bowled an almost unplayable spell of four overs on the lively WACA pitch.

His figures were the second best ever in domestic T20 anywhere in teh world, his mark bettered only by Arul Suppiah's 6-5 for Somerset against Glamorgan in July 2011.

Warne also bowled well, taking 1-9 from his three overs.

James Faulkner took 2-16 for the Stars and Luke Wright 1-7 as they restricted the Scorchers to the lowest Australian T20 score.

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Relive the match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars with our Match Centre!

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Video: Malinga's incredible spell

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Impressive ... Malinga tore through the Scorchers batsmen. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

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It's not easy to steal the show from Shane Warne, but Sri Lanka pace ace Lasith Malinga did just that at the WACA Ground on Wednesday night.

Warnie showed us he still has it, talking the Fox Sports commentators through a few ripper deliveries where he toyed with young Perth Scorchers batsman Hilton Cartwright before the spin king eventually took his first wicket of BBL|02 with a trademark flipper to dismiss Adam Voges.

But Malinga was undoubtedly the Star of the show, ripping through the Scorchers batsmen to eventually end with the incredible figures of 6-7 off four overs - the best bowling figures in Australian domestic T20 history.

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Click on the video at the top of the page to watch every one of Malinga's wickets.

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He bowled with unerring accuracy and guile, outsmarting several Scorchers batsmen with terrific changes of pace and vicious yorkers.

Malinga's spell, which was ably supported by James Faulkner, led to the Scorchers setting another Big Bash record, albeit an unwanted one - they finished on 69, beating the previous lowest score set by New South Wales against Western Australia in 2009-2010.

The Stars were eventually awarded the victory after making 29 runs in just 2.1 overs, with just one of those balls faced after a rain delay.

Relive all the action with our Match Centre!

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Stoner edges closer to V8s

Switch ... Stoner impressed at a track day in a Holden Commodore. Source: Edge / Supplied

Former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has moved another step closer to a career in V8 Supercars, impressing during a test day at Queensland Raceway today.

The two-time MotoGP world champion, who retired from the sport at the end of this year's campaign, drove Jamie Whincup's Holden Commodore at the test day with Triple Eight Race Engineering.

With Whincup's veteran teammate Craig Lowndes offering advice, Stoner did well during the hit-out.

Speculation continues to build the 27-year-old will race with the team in the minor-category Dunlop Series next year.

"He's doing a great job at the moment and has acquitted himself well,'' team manager Adrian Burgess told motorsport website Speedcafe.com.

"We're going through a range of spring changes, bar adjustments and letting him feel what a real V8 Supercar is like with a proper engine.''

Burgess said Stoner was down to a lap time of one minute and 11 seconds by the end of his third run on the 3.12km track, around two seconds behind the fastest times in qualifying for this year's V8 Supercars race in Ipswich.

It's the second time Stoner has driven a V8 Supercar but Burgess said no decision on Stoner's future has been made.

"Prior to today, he's only driven our ride car," Burgess said.

"This is the opportunity to drive the race car.

"Once today is over, he can go home and make a balanced, educated assessment of where he's at and if he wants to do a deal."

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Gibbo farewells The Back Page

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Over and out ... Gibson (R) hosted The Back Page with aplomb for 16 years. Source:News Limited

Veteran sports journalist Mike Gibson has called time on his stint as host of The Back Page after 16 years and 720 episodes.

The multi-award winning journalist, television and radio personality began hosting The Back Page on Fox Sports in 1997 when the program premiered, and has missed just one episode in 16 years.

Throughout his years as host Gibson has delivered his keen knowledge of sport with the home-spun philosophy of a fan who loves the game and wants to share his passion with other fans, forging an enduring rapport with his regular sidekick, "The Twelfth Man" Billy Birmingham.

"I've only ever missed one show and it was because of a crook back. I couldn't straighten up and would have had to host the show from the floor," Gibson said after his final show on Tuesday night.

"What I love about the show is that it is one of the few sports shows in the country that covers all sports. People have come up to me in restaurants and coffee shops and told me The Back Page is part of their life, part of their weekly routine, which is a great compliment."

Whilst admitting it was too difficult to pinpoint his favourite interview or moment over his 16 years on the show, Gibson said he relished the opportunity to work alongside Birmingham.

"Billy is an absolute genius," he said.

"I will always remember some of the legendary exchanges between Peter Fitzsimons and the late Peter Frilingos in the early years, it was very funny stuff.

"Aussies treat sport seriously, but you've got to remember it's not World War III. We've looked at sport as a whole lot of fun.

"For a little show that I thought might last a couple of years, I've got to say, it's been a heck of a ride."

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Evans lights up at record attempt

Record ... Cadel Evans has attempted a record by helping to light a Christmas tree with bikes. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Cadel Evans began the day with drug testers knocking on his door at 6am, continued on to a three-and-a-half hour 110km bike ride and ended with a world record attempt to generate human-powered renewable energy to light up a Christmas tree.

The 2011 Tour de France winner reckons he has just about shaken off an illness that's been bugging him all year and is getting stronger for his attempt to win a second Tour in 2013.

"So far I'm feeling nearly normal again after feeling absolutely exhausted for the best part of the last 10 months,'' he said.

Evans was speaking up for renewable energy on Tuesday for the attempt at Federation Square, which featured 120 specially-prepared bikes fitted with generators. He said anyone who knows cycling knows he had an average year in 2012 due to health issues.

That's when he finished seventh in the Tour, with only two Australians before him having managed a top 10 place.

When asked how he planned to win another Tour, Evans replied: "It's pretty simple. Just be a little bit faster than everyone else.''

Evans said he will start racing again in February or March as he regains his fitness. He said in next year's Tour there will be more uphill finishes, that will suit him, with less distances to cover in the time trials.

"It will be much more interesting with lots of tricky and narrow roads in Corsica - we like those,'' Evans said.

He believes this year's winning team, Sky, led by Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, will have stiff competition in 2013.

"They made the team for the course and it was like the course was made for the team,'' Evans said. "They prepared very carefully and got the results they deserved.

"But there will be a few more people in the mix, myself included, who will unsettle a few things.''

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More arrests over linesman's death

Horror ... Dutch club SC Buitenboys fly the flag half mast following the death of a linesman. Source: Robin van Lonkhijsen / AFP

Dutch police have arrested three more teenagers and a man in connection with the shock death of a linesman last week who was assaulted after a football match, bringing the total number of suspects to eight.

"Police early this morning arrested four more suspects in Amsterdam in connection with the death of Richard Nieuwenhuizen," spokesman Thomas Aling told AFP.

"Public prosecutors are to release a statement later today (Tuesday) on when they will first appear before a judge," he said.

Two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a man aged 50 were arrested, Aling added.

All four are connected to, or are members of the Nieuw Sloten football club, who played against Nieuwenhuizen's Buitenboys Club in Almere, just west of Amsterdam when the December 2 beating happened.

Nieuwenhuizen, 41, officiated as linesman in the match in which his own son played and was attacked shortly after the final whistle by members of the Nieuw Sloten club.

He was allegedly kicked several times in the head but got up and went home.

He became ill a few hours later and died the following day in hospital with his family at his side.

Before Tuesday's arrests, four players were detained last week in connection with the assault that has shocked the football-mad Netherlands, where some 1.2 million people out of a population of 16.5 million are members of national football federation KNVB.

On Sunday, thousands of people turned out for a silent march in Almere to pay their final tributes to Nieuwenhuizen, who was cremated at another solemn service on Monday.

The teens, who are being held at an undisclosed youth detention centre face manslaughter, assault and public violence charges.

Twenty detectives are investigating the case and more arrests could be made, Dutch police said on its website.

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Campbell diplomatic on boycott

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Preston Campbell ... understands boycott threats for the All Stars game. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

The man who conceived the NRL's All Stars idea - Preston Campbell - said he would understand if players boycotted the rugby league showpiece over a salary dispute.

But Campbell hoped NRL players would consider the impact the game had on the community programs it helped fund before striking.

Campbell was in Brisbane on Monday to help launch the final stage of public voting for the 2013 All Stars clash on February 9 to be held at Suncorp Stadium for the first time.

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However, Campbell admitted he was concerned the headline event may be a fizzer if big name players opted to stay away.

The Rugby League Players Association held their latest round of talks with the Australian Rugby League Commission last week in a bid to increase the NRL salary cap from $5 million to $6.5 million next season.

Players have refused to rule out an All Stars strike over the dispute.

Campbell said players deserved a pay increase but hoped they did not earn it by ditching the All Stars clash.

"I understand the boys want to get what they can," he told AAP.

"If the boys get a bit more then they deserve it. It's a tough environment playing rugby league.

"But at the same time players have to realise that without the support of the community, without people buying merchandise or going to games, switching the TV on to watch a match, the game wouldn't be as great - we need to remember that."

The All Stars concept has helped raise almost $5 million for NRL community programs in its first three years, with the ARLC hoping to increase the initiatives it supports next year.

The All Stars game was one of the projects that helped the ARLC take out Governing Body of the Year at this year's Beyond Sport Federation Awards in London.

"It would be disappointing if the game wasn't played," Campbell said.

"We would have to work a bit harder in trying to get the message out there.

"This is a great vehicle to get to a wider audience.

"It is making a big difference in so many people's lives."

Broncos star Justin Hodges said a strike would damage the good work the game did on and off the field.

"It would hurt everything,'' he said.

"As players we want to get paid like everybody else.

"We deserve it. We put our bodies through a lot of torture.

"But I will leave it to the players association.

"Hopefully we can get out there and play ... especially a game that means so much to our people."

Public voting on the Indigenous side and a 64-man NRL All Stars shortlist will end on January 14.

Laurie Daley will return as Indigenous All Stars coach while Wayne Bennett will again take up the NRL team's reins.

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Private racetrack a real gem

Leadfoot ... Dean Wills built a private track on his property in Kulnura. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

It's not Monaco, the Nurburgring or even Oran Park - this racetrack is NSW's best-kept secret.

The privately owned road in Kulnura, on the Central Coast, is a 5.1km Formula One-style track with 22 turns, described by one motorsport champion as the second-best track in the world.

The track, which is said to have cost $10 million, was built by car enthusiast and former Coca-Cola Amatil boss Dean Wills after he lost his licence for speeding on the old Pacific Highway in 1996.

Mr Wills wanted to enjoy his growing fleet of exotic cars - which included the only McLaren racing car ever sold privately - without having to worry about oncoming traffic.

Kulnara ... a windy part of the tack. Source: News Limited

His son Mark said the track was motivated by a lack of opportunity for "spirited" driving in a safe environment.

"In the early days it was possible to wake up early on Sunday morning and go driving," he said.

"It was becoming increasingly less safe so we really needed somewhere we could go where we wouldn't get into life-threatening situations.

"Safety was the most important thing, to be able to enjoy driving in the way manufacturers designed the cars to be driven without on-coming cars or cyclists.

"We don't do lap times, the only way we measure it is how long the smile lasts."

While from the air it looks every bit a hair-raising speedway, Mr Wills said it was deliberately built as a country road, without a race track's ripple strips, barriers or gravel run-off areas.

Guests have to adhere to strict road rules including "no racing" and it even features standard road signs with recommended corner speeds.

"It never really entered our minds to create a race track, we just wanted a country road to drive on."

Mr Wills would not reveal how much the family had ploughed into the road but a conservative estimate of about $60sq m for the bitumen alone puts the 40,000sq m of circuit at $2.4 million.

Getting to race on the track is akin to joining the mafia - someone has to vouch for you.

"It's all friends of friends," he said. "We know the people who are inviting (other people) here and we trust their judgment."

Those who have done a few laps include motorcycle champion Casey Stoner, the "Flying Scot" Sir Jackie Stewart and Formula One great Jack Brabham.

Mr Wills said Wayne Gardner described the road as his second favourite circuit in the world behind Suzuka in Japan.

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Hughes primed for third Test coming

Right call ... Hughes's move to Adelaide paid immediate dividends. Source: News Limited

A confident Phil Hughes hopes he can translate his sizzling domestic form into the Test arena when Australia's three-match series against Sri Lanka begins in Hobart on Friday.

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Hughes cracked a match-winning 74 off 48 balls to help guide Adelaide Strikers to a six-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

Chasing 163 for victory, the Strikers reached 4-164 with four balls to spare.

Hughes has been in sparkling touch this summer, averaging 51.8 in the Sheffield Shield ranks and 80.75 in one-dayers for his adopted state, South Australia.

The 24-year-old played the last of his 17 Tests a year ago.

But after making a minor technical tweak to his batting during the off-season and piling on a mountain of runs, Hughes is confident he can make the most of his third Test coming.

"The confidence is quite high at the moment," Hughes said.

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"It's nice getting runs behind you. Hopefully I can start off well in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

"I'm really excited about it.

"I can't wait to get in camp with the boys.

"Having that (previous Test) experience behind me, I'm a bit more relaxed about going into camp because I've been in that environment before."

Meanwhile, Scorchers opener Shaun Marsh has been ruled out of Wednesday night's home clash with Melbourne Stars due to a hamstring injury.

Marsh returned to form with 57 runs off 45 balls against the Strikers, but suffered a minor strain to his right hamstring late in the innings.

Scans have cleared him of any serious damage, and the Scorchers are hopeful the talented left-hander will be fit for Sunday's away match against Sydney Sixers.

Although the injury is a blow to Marsh, Scorchers coach Justin Langer said he was pleased to see the 29-year-old regain his sparkling touch with the bat.

"I knew it was just a matter of time for him," Langer said of Marsh, who was briefly dropped from Western Australia's Shield and Ryobi Cup sides earlier this season.

"He's been preparing well. He played well in the practice matches during the week. It was nice to see him make some runs."

Former Scorchers skipper Marcus North is set to replace Marsh against the Stars, while the Scorchers will also need a replacement for Test-bound veteran Mike Hussey.

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Cousins to make playing return

Training run ... Cousins has agreed to play two games for Mullewa Saints in 2013.

Former West Coast and Richmond star Ben Cousins will make a brief playing return next year when he fronts up for the Mullewa Saints in Western Australia's Great Northern Football League.

Cousins has agreed to play two games for the Saints, but club president Brett Del Nero hopes the 2005 Brownlow Medallist will end up playing more.

The 34-year-old notched 238 games for West Coast and a further 32 for Richmond during a decorated but controversial AFL career.

Cousins was sacked by West Coast at the end of 2007 after his methamphetamine addiction spiralled out of control.

The West Australian made a successful AFL return in 2009 with Richmond, before retiring in 2010.

Del Nero said it wasn't hard to convince Cousins to play for Mullewa, which is located 450km North of Perth.

"But we also had to take into consideration the commitments he's got," Del Nero told ABC radio.

"He's got a young family and other commitments to different groups.

"He's very approachable and very well respected within our community."

As well as turning out for a couple of games, Cousins will also conduct training sessions with fellow ex-Eagles player Travis Gaspar.

The pair, who have joined forces previously to conduct clinics at schools in the area, will also provide life coaching to the players.

And in an added bonus to Mullewa, Del Nero said Cousins has offered to redirect his match payments to the club's academy.

Del Nero said the news of Cousins's arrival next year had already inspired the club's players to improve.

"I even had some players talk about doing a pre-season this year, which is unusual," Del Nero joked.

"That's Ben Cousins, and that's what he brings to football. I think it's great."

Life after AFL hasn't been smooth for Cousins, who earlier this year was committed to a mental health hospital as a result of prolonged psychosis related to his battle with drugs.

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'Reds have set the benchmark'

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Benchmark ... Adelaide's Bruce Djite holds off Billy Celeski. Source:News Limited

Fox Sports' football expert Mark Bosnich believes Adelaide United's first-half performance against Melbourne Victory has set the benchmark for the season.

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Adelaide United 4 defeated Melbourne Victory 2 at Hindmarsh Stadium

Bozza: Phenomenal. The pace of the game, considering the heat, and the quality of the football. Speed in any type of game really does make a difference and when you play at that type of pace, yes you can make a lot more mistakes, but in terms of entertainment value and the quality that was on show, the 14,000 sell-out crowd at Hindmarsh must have gone home - plus the result for them - very, very happy. Watching it on TV was fantastic - entertainment, great atmosphere from the crowd - the big test for Adelaide is that they've set the benchmark for themselves. Can they keep doing it week in, week out?

Griffiths: They've got the depth that no other team in the A-League has at the moment. I think Central Coast are the closest ones to that. They're playing great football, their fans are on board now, which is important, and I can't see anyone really threatening them aside from the Mariners at the moment.

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Melbourne Heart 1 defeated Perth Glory 0 at AAMI Park

Griffiths: It's always going to be physical when you're playing against Perth Glory and I think it's instilled in all the players there. You know you've got to be up for the challenge. I take my hat off to Heart, they played the game in that way. [Josip] Tadic, I don't really agree with going down when you don't get hit, he probably got him in the eye or something, but that's playing the game. If they're going to come out doing that you've got to do it yourself.

Bozza: I can tell you, during my 20 years as a professional, I would say once every three weeks (there was a bust-up in the tunnel). Minimum. Not only that but at training as well, between teammates, and moreso probably at the bigger clubs. At Manchester United for example I would say there was a training ground fight once every two or three weeks.

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Newcastle Jets 0 lost to Central Coast Mariners 2 at Hunter Stadium

Bozza: The first half I thought there was a split hair between the sides. I think the Mariners perhaps created the more open opportunities of both sides but it was still very close. I thought gradually starting with Josh Rose on the right-hand side and Pedj Bojic on the other, that was the key. At the beginning, young [James] Brown and Craig Goodwin had them penned back, but once they established midfield dominance, and those two boys started to get forward, it was a completely different game. Both goals came as a result.

Griffiths: I think we're [Newcastle] at a stage where consistency is a little bit out the door. We need to be more consistent as a team. I think I explained earlier that when you have a younger squad, it's difficult to get that consistency, but when we go on a roll, we really go on a roll. If we can get those wins together, Newcastle are dangerous.

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Wellington Phoenix 1 lost to Sydney FC 2 at Westpac Stadium

Griffiths: To go over there and try to get a win, they've gone and done it and I take my hat off to them. Maybe it is the new coach effect there but whatever Frank's done, he's done well.

Bozza: A really good performance like I said, it is the first week and there's a lot of work to do, especially the way they play - keeping possession of the ball. Wellington weren't at their very best, albeit, but the way they kept possession, they just looked a much better, much more orgainsed side. But there's a long way to go and a big test this week with the derby, but a fantastic victory and they deserve a bit of respite after the stick that they've, deservedly, copped for their start to the season.

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Western Sydney Wanderers 1 defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at Parramatta Stadium

Bozza: The first 15 minutes I thought the Wanderers dominated and were unfortunate not to be 1-0 up. Brisbane just aren't quite the same free-flowing side we've become accustomed to over the last two seasons. They slowly got their way back into it but not in the way that we're used to, not with that free-flowing type of football. They did create a few chances but I thought it had 0-0 written all over it until it exploded a little bit over those last few minutes, but Brisbane will count themselves very unfortunate not to get themselves at least a point, especially with hitting the bar and the post straight after they conceded the penalty.

Griffiths: Sometimes that happens in football, you don't realise until you go behind that 'hang on I'd better start playing here'. It happens a lot and Brisbane are very good at coming home as we know from the past. But the game, definitely like Bozza said, Brisbane's free-flowing game from last year just isn't there this year.

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Bolton beauty is Bozza's best

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Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Melbourne Heart fans were not only chanting Golgol Mebrahtu's name on Saturday night, one of the heroes was undoubtedly Clint Bolton.

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Bolton is one of Australia's most experienced goalkeepers and showed he has lost nothing by denying Perth Glory's Travis Dodd from point-blank range.

Bolton didn't have to save too many against the Glory but when called on did his job with aplomb. As the cross came in, Dodd sneaked in behind his Heart marker and fired a shot low to the left hand corner only to be denied by Bolton's outstretched fingers.

At the other end, Mebrahtu would strike late to deliver all three points to the Heart in a tense 1-0 win.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich singled the effort out as his save of the week.

Bosnich said the technical difficulty of Bolton's save was the deciding factor, just in front of Sydney FC youngster Vedran Janjetovic.

"That change in direction at a crucial time in the game - it's one of the hardest things to do as a goalkeeper and that was truly an outstanding save," he said.

"It contributed greatly to Melbourne Heart notching up the victory.

"There's a lot of work that goes into that. You probably do 30 or 40 every week, going across your goal, changing direction and saving at various heights.

Janjetovic has shown great talent in his few starts for Sydney FC and was again on hand to stop Wellington Phoenix.

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Watch Bolton's sublime save against Perth Glory above and have your say on Bozza's save of the week by leaving a comment below!

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Socceroos qualify for East Asian Cup

Australia needed just over half an hour to secure their East Asian Cup berth with an 8-0 demolition of lowly Taiwan at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday night.

The top-placed Socceroos will now join Japan, China and hosts South Korea in the showpiece next July.

Adam Taggart, Richard Garcia and Aziz Behich all scored their maiden international goals with Robert Cornthwaite and Aaron Mooy rounding out the scoring for the experimental Socceroos side.

Rookies Taggart and Behich both netted a brace each while Taiwan gifted Australia their eighth with an own goal.

With North Korea beating hosts Hong Kong 4-0 in Sunday's earlier match Australia knew they needed at least five goals against world No.176 side Taiwan to better the Koreans goal difference of plus 14.

It didn't take long for Australia to get off the mark with Melbourne Heart striker Garcia scoring in the 11th minute courtesy of superb lead-up work from Behich. Scott Jamieson forced a save from Taiwan goal keeper Lu Kun Chi moments later with the rebound falling to Cornthwaite who made no mistake.

Newcastle's teen striker Taggart took advantage of the lacklustre defence to easily score in the 19th minute and put Australia up 3-0.

Taggart found the back of the net again soon after, getting on the end of a Jamieson ball for the 4-0 lead. Behich secured Australia's East Asian Cup berth with a header in the 33rd minute as Australia went 5-0 up.

Mooy continued the assault right after the break, scoring with a superb free-kick - quickly becoming his specialty - for the 6-0 advantage.

The Taiwan side did their best to halt the humiliation with defenders scrambling at the goal mouth to block a tirade from Emerton, Taggart and Behich.

Behich scored his second in the 56th minute easily getting past Taiwan's hapless defence.

Archie Thompson, who replaced Garcia in the 57th minute, twice came heartbreakingly close to equalling Damian Mori's all-time highest goal scoring record for Australia, stinging the palms of 'keeper Lu and denied by the woodwork moments later.

Adding insult to injury Taiwan supplemented Australia's massive goal haul with an own goal from skipper Yang Cha Hsun 10 minutes before time.

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Perth strike out against Adelaide

Dominant ... Adelaide Strikers' Phillip Hughes plays a shot on his way to a fine 74. Source: aniel Wilkins / News Limited

Recalled Test batsman Phil Hughes warmed up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in fine fashion, cracking 74 off 48 balls to inspire Adelaide Strikers to a six-wicket Twenty20 victory over Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

T20 - WACA Ground

9 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

T. Doropoulos	12	11	2	0	109.09
J. Botha	5	4	0	0	125
B. Edmondson	3.2	0	35	1	10.50

Scorchers opener Shaun Marsh scored 57 and Adam Voges posted 58 to help lift Perth to 6-162 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Adelaide reached 4-164 in 19.2 overs, with man-of-the-match Hughes cracking nine fours and one six to set up the innings, before Nathan Reardon (42 off 26 balls) and Theo Doropoulos (12 not out) guided the Strikers to victory in front of 12,117 fans.

The game was precariously balanced until Reardon and Doropoulos scored 19 runs in the 18th over off the bowling of Ben Edmondson.

Earlier, Marsh made a welcome return to form in Perth's competitive total.

Marsh entered the match in terrible form, having averaged just 10.2 in the Sheffield Shield and 17.7 in one-dayers this season.

But the 29-year-old looked good once he found his rhythm against the Strikers, hitting three fours and three sixes to help the Scorchers reach a competitive total.

However, Marsh strained his hamstring shortly before holing out, and was unable to take his place in the field.

The former Test batsman will undergo further assessment to determine his availability for Wednesday night's home clash with the Melbourne Stars.

Marsh has a history of hamstring problems, having torn his left hamstring while playing for Australia at the WACA in 2009.

Coincidentally, Marsh's brother, Mitch, is also nursing a hamstring injury, albeit a season-ending one that required surgery.

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal finished with 1-22 from four overs for the Strikers, while Johan Botha (1-23) and paceman Kane Richardson (3-33) were also important.

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