Bulls keep finals hopes alive

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Vital ... Chris Hartley launches a boundary for Queensland. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Queensland have kept their one-day cricket final hopes alive with a six-wicket win over top side Victoria.

The Bushrangers will still probably finish in first place and host the February 27 final.

ODD - Melbourne Cricket Ground

16 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Queensland 1st Innings

N. Reardon	52	45	5	1	115.56
D. Michael	30	20	4	0	150
D. Hussey	4.4	0	20	0	4.29

But they must now wait until the result of Sunday's game between second-placed South Australia and NSW.

The third-placed Bulls won with 14 balls left on Saturday night, scoring 4-243 in reply to Victoria's 8-242.

Chris Hartley top-scored with 74 and Nathan Reardon made an unbeaten 52.

Reardon combined with first-gamer Dominic Michael (30no) for a stand of 43 from 35 balls to ensure the win.

Queensland coach Darren Lehmann praised his players performance.

"We're still in the hunt - obviously results need to go our way, but it was a good win,'' he said.

"We knew we had to get Hussey, (Cameron) White and those guys out in the middle order.

"They could have posted 270-280 and that would have been too many on that sort of wicket.

(Our batting) was pretty professional, wasn't it - it's pleasing when you do it and end up winning with three overs to spare.''

Michael appeared lucky to survive an lbw appeal from Will Sheridan on the first ball he faced.

Victoria led SA by a game at the top of the table before this loss.

The Redbacks will need a massive win over New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to take top spot from the Bushrangers.

Queensland will make the final against Victoria if SA lose.

Every team except last-placed Tasmania has a mathematical chance of making the final.

Hartley and Luke Pomersbach set up the Queensland innings with a second-wicket stand of 116.

Leg-spinner Fawaz Ahmed, who will probably make his Sheffield Shield debut against the Bulls on Monday, then made a double breakthrough.

He bowled Pomersbach for 51 and five balls later trapped Peter Forrest lbw for six.

But that only briefly held up Queensland's scoring.

When Hartley holed out to Clive Rose in the deep off Will Sheridan's bowling for 74, the Bulls were cruising at 4-200 in the 42nd over.

Michael Hill top-scored for Victoria with 88 and Matthew Gale took 5-67 from 11 overs.

Queensland started well, restricting Victoria to only 1-18 from the first 10 overs.

Former Test paceman Ryan Harris, playing his first match for the Bulls this summer, had opener Rob Quiney caught behind for two.

But Harris quickly ran out of steam and only bowled seven overs, taking 1-30.

Hill and Chris Rogers survived the early trouble, putting on 125 for the second wicket.

By the time Rogers was well-caught by Peter Forrest off the bowling of captain James Hopes for 60, Victoria were 2-130 in the 30th over.

David Hussey belted 22 from 18 balls before James Hopes had him caught behind and from there Queensland kept a reasonable check on the run rate.

Peter Handscomb made 38, with Forrest catching him on the boundary from the last ball of the innings.

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Few pluses as India A run rampant

Dejected ... Australia spinner Nathan Lyon struggled against India A's batsmen. Source: AFP

Spinner Xavier Doherty's three-wicket haul was one of few positives to come out of the opening day of Australia's three-day practice match against India A who reached 4-338 at stumps.

Doherty claimed 3-69 from 16 overs in Chennai on Saturday as dumped Test opener Gautam Gambhir (112) and uncapped right-hander Rohit Sharma (77) dominated with a second-wicket partnership of 128.

Two-Test left-armer Doherty claimed 3-69 from 16 overs and fared better than fellow spinners Nathan Lyon (0-97 off 20) and 19-year-old Ashton Agar (0-78 off 13) in the race to win places in the side for the first Test against India starting on February 22.

Pacemen Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc, with a combined tally of 0-66 off 30 overs, bowled tightly while seamer Moises Henriques continued his surge towards a possible Test debut next Friday with 1-20 off 11 overs.

Manoj Tiwary was 77 not out at stumps with CM Gautham on 34.

Gambhir sent a powerful message to India's selectors with a mature display, hitting 13 fours and three sixes from 162 deliveries.

The 54-Test veteran fell at 2-195 to Henriques after edging a ball to Shane Watson at slip.

Gambhir added 67 for the first wicket with Jiwanjot Singh who was caught at slip for 24 off Doherty's bowling.

Sharma was caught behind at 3-266 as Doherty found some turn and bounce away from the right-hander.

Doherty struck in successive overs when left-hander Abishek Nayar (four) was caught at short leg at 4-272.

Australia's captain Michael Clarke (hamstring) and opener David Warner (thumb) have been rested ahead of the first Test, although both have resumed batting in the nets.

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Smith on report as Knights beat Souths

Jeremy Smith ... on report in Knights trial win. Source: Frank Redward / News Limited

Newcastle recruit Jeremy Smith was placed on report for a lifting tackle to take some of the gloss off an otherwise impressive Knights display in the 18-6 NRL trial win over South Sydney in Coffs Harbour.

Knights officials are hopeful the New Zealand Test backrower won't have a case to answer after he was cautioned for his first half hit on Rabbitohs forward David Tyrell.

Smith was part of a full-strength Knights line-up for the opening half at the BCU International Stadium, the highlight of which was a brilliant run from former NSW Origin winger Akuila Uate to set up the only try of the period to Matt Hilder.

The Rabbitohs, who also ran out their big guns with Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds all included, struggled to find the cohesion which propelled their run deep into last year's finals series.

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Winger Nathan Merritt went closest to scoring when he lost the ball just short of the tryline in the second quarter, while Inglis only showed brief glimpses of his devastating best.

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The Knights ran out a virtual second-string side for the second half, with halfback Tyrone Roberts bagging a double to show he may be worth another run in the top grade after filling in for injured skipper Kurt Gidley for much of last season.

Souths finally got on the board when Apisai Koroisau scored in the final quarter, but Roberts sealed the result with his second just before fulltime.

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Knights coach Wayne Bennett said he was close to finalising his side for the opening round tussle with Wests Tigers on March 11.

"We were good (tonight) without doing anything special, just probably where you'd want to be first pre-season game of the year,"Bennett said.

"On tonight's performance they all put their hand up, that's the part I couldn't get last year is the buy-in from everybody, all playing at a pretty consistent level."

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Fresh Eagles smash rival Dockers

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Rivals ... Eagles recruit Sharrod Wellingham looks to handball against Fremantle. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Fremantle fell to a disappointing 24-point loss to arch-rivals West Coast after backing up in hot conditions in Perth

1.2.6 (27)	Q1	0.1.0 (6)
1.4.7 (40)	Q2	0.2.4 (16)
	Q3
	Q4

Matt Priddis 2	Hayden Ballantyne 1
Shannon Hurn 1	Michael Walters 1
Chris Masten 1
Jeremy McGovern 1

West Coast had lost the opening game of the NAB Cup triple-header to Geelong and came out fresh and fired up, running all over the Dockers to finish 1.4.7 (40) to 2.4 (16) victors.

Fremantle found the going much tougher against the Eagles than Geelong, but coach Ross Lyon has plenty to work on with the likes of Matthew Pavlich, Nat Fyfe, Ryan Crowley and David Mundy still to return.

Fremantle could only muster a solitary scoring shot in the opening half as the Eagles piled on 34 points, including a super goal to Shannon Hurn.

0.4.2 (26)	Q1	0.2.4 (16)
0.7.6 (48)	Q2	0.4.6 (30)
	Q3
	Q4

Michael Walters 2	Mitchell W. Brown 2
Hayden Crozier 1	Joel Selwood 2
Chris Mayne 1
Tendai Mzungu 1
Clancee Pearce 1
Alex Silvagni 1

While all three sides will take plenty out of the opening hit outs, it will make it difficult for any of Geelong, Fremantle or West Coast to now make the cup final in the round-robin format.

However, the Eagles are in the best position given they lost to Geelong by just two points and beat the Dockers by 24.

Fremantle improved in the second half and outscored their opponents but it was too little too late.

Hurn and Scott Selwood ran amok for the Eagles, gathering possessions at will and using them to damaging effect while Paul Duffield showed he will be important to the Dockers in defence this season with nine touches.

It was the same in the second game as the fresher Fremantle proved too good for Geelong winning by 18 points.

As seen last season, the fresher team usually prevailed and so it proved in hot conditions with Fremantle triumphing 7.6 (48) to 4.6 (30).

Geelong coach Chris Scott rested Jimmy Bartel, Taylor Hunt, Jared Rivers and the injured Matthew Stokes while bringing in Steve Johnson, Joel Corey and Steven Motlop.

The Cats had won the opening game against West Coast but couldn't stay with Fremantle, who's run and carry proved damaging on the wide open spaces.

Mitchell Brown and Joel Selwood were the only goal scorers for the Cats while six Dockers got on the score sheet, though Michael Walters was the only one to grab two majors.

0.3.0 (18)	Q1	0.2.0 (12)
1.6.2 (47)	Q2	1.6.4 (49)
	Q3
	Q4

Jack Darling 3	James Podsiadly 2
Bradd Dalziell 1	Josh Caddy 1
Ashton Hams 1	Tom Hawkins 1
Mark LeCras 1	Joel Selwood 1
Fraser McInnes 1	Travis Varcoe 1
	Joshua Walker 1

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow looks to be back to his ball-winning best after gathering 15 touches in the two 20-minutes halves while Selwood and Brown against led the possessions, highlighting how much the team relied on the pair.

Cats coach Chris Scott said it was important to get game time into a number of players.

"We got some quality game time into most of our list really apart from Chapman, Mackie and Kelly who were available that we didn't bring with us,'' Scott said.

"I think that's the good thing with this year compared to last because we waited a bit longer to play our senior players last year and on reflection I dont think it was the right thing to do.

"I think we'll be better placed now for the early rounds of this season.''

In the opening game, it was again Selwood who inspired his team with a last-minute super goal giving the Cats a two-point victory over West Coast.

The Eagles looked to be cruising in the opening contest of the triple-header in Perth when leading by 22 points with just five minutes remaining.

However, the Cats got back within nine-point range and Jimmy Bartel handpassed off from a mark to his captain and Selwood kicked the goal from just outside the 50-metre arc to give Geelong victory 1.6.4 (49) to 1.6.2 (47).

Josh Caddy, who crossed from Gold Coast to the Cats at the end of last season, started brilliantly with a clever goal within 20 seconds in a sign of what he can offer.

Geelong led by seven points early in the second half of the reduced minutes contest, but that's when the Eagles took over and the most heartening aspect of all was the successful return of All-Australian forward Mark LeCras.

He started solidly enough in the first half in his first official hit out in 17 months since he injured his knee and required a full reconstruction that cost his entire 2012 campaign.

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While he had just five disposals in his return, it was what he did from a free-kick on the boundary that showed just how much he was missed and why he could help West Coast go that extra step or two in the finals this year.

LeCras kicked a goal from the boundary after a free-kick and, with a super goal soon after from Bradd Dalziell and a regular six-pointer to Fraser McInnes, the Eagles looked home with a 22-point lead.

However, quick goals to Travis Varcoe and Taylor Walker, and then the super goal by Selwood, saw the Cats scrape home.

Geelong next plays Fremantle before the night concludes with the first western derby of 2013.

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Marsh battles injury, scores ton

One-dayer ... Aaron Finch finally scores some runs for Australia. Source: Luke Bowden / News Limited

Former Test batsman Shaun Marsh battled through injury to notch a classy century in Australia A's convincing seven-wicket over the England Lions at Bellerive.

Marsh collapsed clutching his right knee after completing a run to reach 99, appearing to have suffered a serious injury.

The 29-year-old writhed in agony and was treated by medical staff, but batted on long enough to reach 100 from 128 balls before promptly retiring hurt.

Marsh will have scans on the injury on Sunday but is already considered to be in doubt for Monday.

Finch said reaching the hundred was important for his opening partner.

"I think it's important for guys to get milestones like that, especially Shaun who's probably copped his fair brunt of criticism from the public and from the media,'' Finch said.

"He's a super player and I think we just saw a glimpse of how good he is.

"Just to keep the wolves at bay for a little bit for himself, for his own personal peace of mind I guess, is really important.''

Marsh and skipper Finch (80 from 92) set up the Australians' 3-260 with five balls to spare, after the Lions had made 6-259 boosted by opener Varun Chopra's 105.

The West Australian hit seven fours and a six to continue a superb domestic summer after he'd been dropped from the Warriors squad for disciplinary reasons.

Marsh, who has played seven Tests for Australia, fought his way back into the national team for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka before playing two ODIs against the West Indies.

Finch put a forgettable debut international summer behind him after averaging just 15 in his seven ODIs for Australia.

The Lions didn't look like getting a wicket as Marsh and Finch put on 172 before the Victorian miscued and was caught at mid-off.

The visitors grabbed two in the space of two runs at 3-237 and had the Australians needing 21 off 18 before Joe Burns (18 from 19) and Tim Paine (10 from 11) guided their side home.

The Australians go 1-0 up in the five-game series while the Lions' winless tour has now stretched to four matches.

Game two is a day-game in Hobart on Monday.

Chopra compiled an opportunist's century after Australia A keeper Tim Paine had dropped a regulation nick in the first over before the Englishman had scored.

Chopra's 105, his second hundred on tour, came from 137 balls.

Chopra said the Lions would take some encouragement out of the game.

"We dragged it back really well so that's definitely a positive to take out of it and to take the game into the last over,'' he said.

The fireworks came from young gun Ben Foakes, who blasted 56 from just 42 balls.

Australia paceman John Hastings bagged 3-55.

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Broncos winger injured in trial loss

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Dale Copley ... injured in NRL trial match. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Brisbane Broncos winger Dale Copley has suffered a suspected ruptured patella in his right knee following Saturday's 16-14 NRL trial match loss to the Gold Coast Titans.

A Broncos medical official said Copley, who missed a large portion of last season with a broken leg, had suffered a suspected rupture in his right knee.

The game was stopped in the first half as Copley was stretchered from the field after appearing to cop a knee while running the ball out of his own 20 metres.

He will have scans in the coming days, but faces another long stint on the sidelines.

The injury occured in their NRL pre-season trial against the Titans at Redcliffe's Dolphins Oval on Saturday night.

Rival coaches John Cartwright (Titans) and Anthony Griffin (Broncos) used their full squads to experiment with combinations ahead of next month's season-opening round.

The Broncos were first on the scoreboard through fullback Josh Hoffman, who beat three Titans in a 30-metre dash to the tryline.

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The Titans however led 16-4 at halftime following a slick try to young halfback Albert Kelly, whose left foot step was too good for the defence, while winger David Mead and Brad Takarangi also scored four-pointers.

Mead's try was set up by a clever flick pass offload by giant centre Jamal Idris, who impressed in the opening 40 minutes.

Griffin rotated three halves in Peter Wallace, Scott Prince and Corey Norman, with Wallace spending a lot of time at dummy-half and Prince running the show.

Norman scored an opportunist try early in the second half after a Prince kick rebounded off the padded goalpost before winger Denan Kemp cashed in on a Prince kick to score in the corner to reduce the margin to 16-14, setting up a grandstand finish.

Brisbane utility Jake Granville scrambled across the tryline late in the game but was ruled to have been held up before Kemp was disallowed a second try from a Matt Gillett forward pass.

Cartwright was pleased with his side's ability to eke out a result, while he also tipped former NSW Origin representative Idris to have a big year.

"It as a scrappy sort of a game, not too many opportunities,'' Cartwright said.

"One of the most pleasing aspects was Idris' strong performance.''

Cartwright also confirmed the club had agreed to a one-year deal for well-travelled playmaker Kelly for the 2013 season.

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Edwards gets Glory win at first go

Winner ... Shane Smeltz (2nd L) scored the goal which ended Perth's horrible run. Source: Justin Benson-cooper / News Limited

Central Coast's lead at the top of the A-League table has been cut to one point after suffering a shock 2-1 loss to strugglers Perth Glory on Saturday night.

The Mariners were on track for victory after Bernie Ibini's 13th-minute strike at nib Stadium.

But goals either side of half-time to Travis Dodd and Shane Smeltz secured all three points for the Glory, who remain four points adrift of the top-six ahead of next week's away clash with Western Sydney.

Central Coast (42 points) have lost just three times this season and are still in a good position to take out the minor premiership.

But with Western Sydney (41) showing no signs of slowing down, the Mariners have a fight on their hands to retain top spot.

The next fortnight will prove crucial for Central Coast, who take on Melbourne Victory and then Western Sydney in games at Bluetongue Stadium.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	21	12	6	3	21	42
2	Western Sydney	21	13	2	6	12	41
3	Victory	21	11	3	7	2	36
4	Adelaide	21	11	2	8	2	35
5	Sydney	21	8	3	10	-7	27
6	Newcastle	21	7	5	9	-7	26
7	Heart	21	7	3	11	-3	24
8	Perth	21	6	4	11	-3	22
9	Brisbane	20	6	3	11	-2	21
10	Wellington	20	5	5	10	-15	20

For Perth Glory, it was a sweet end to a week that started with the sacking of coach Ian Ferguson.

A five-game losing run proved to be Ferguson's downfall, with interim coach Alistair Edwards enjoying a winning start to his tenure at the helm.

An ecstatic Edwards gave a double fist pump to the crowd when the final whistle was blown.

Perth still have plenty of work to do over the final six rounds if they are to make the finals.peBut last season's grand finalists will take a massive confidence-boost from their win over the Mariners.

Central Coast striker Daniel McBreen was the architect behind the opening goal, stripping Steve McGarry of the ball in defence to give Ibini a one-on-one chance against Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

Despite having a Glory defender right on his tail, Ibini made no mistake with the finish, firing a smooth strike past Vukovic to give the visitors the early edge.

Glory fans started becoming increasingly frustrated with some of their team's slow build-ups from defence.

But the slow-and-steady approach paid dividends in the 27th minute, with a pin-point long ball from Nick Ward finding a small gap in Central Coast's defence.

A running Dodd put the finishing touch on the move, expertly trapping Ward's pass with his right foot before firing a beautiful shot with his left.

Smeltz then sent the 5,909 crowd into raptures in the 64th minute when his powerful header hit the back of the net, with Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan unable to keep the ball out despite getting a hand to it.

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See highlights, including Smeltz's and all the other goals, in Match Centre.

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