WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Phoenix grab last-minute win

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Phoenix grab last-minute win

06/12/10 Executive sport summary– An overview of the major sporting events – Results, key moments and talking points – Everything you need to know to foot it at the water cooler this week.

By Jonathan McKeown

PHOENIX: The Wellington Phoenix came back to beat Adelaide United 2-1 in Christchurch. The win has moved the Nix into the top six and A-League football playoff position.

Adelaide led 1-0 at half-time after a 14th minute Sergio van Dijk header from a free kick, but whatever Ricki Herbert said at oranges certainly worked. The Phoenix were fired up in the second half as Tim Brown scored just after the break. Adelaide could then only do their best to hold on until defender Ben Sigmund sealed the three points in the final minute of injury time.

ASHES: Early on day four England declared with a lead of 375 runs. Kevin Pietersen was dismissed for 227 as the tourist cruised to 620 for five (declared). Australia's batsmen will now face a barrage of spin if the hope to salvage a draw.

The English cricketers were in a commanding position on the third day on the second test as Kevin Pietersen made an unbeaten double century before the rain bought some respite. England were 551-4 at tea when the weather saved the Aussie bowlers more embarrassment. Australia need some heroics as England take a first-innings lead of 306 runs into the fourth day

GOLF: Tiger Woods gave up a four-stroke lead at the Chevron World Challenge in California. The former World No1 was the crushed by Graeme McDowell in the playoff.

The latest fall for Woods has topped off a terrible year on and off the course, but this was the first tournament Woods has failed to win after leading by three in the final round. Conversely Graeme McDowell capped of a great year as the current U.S. Open champion.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: The Springboks finished their northern hemisphere tour with a 26-20 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham. The Barbarian outfit was built around some fine combinations featuring six Australians and five New Zealanders.

All Black Ma’a Nonu was the most effective ball carrier and distributor setting up three tries. Australian Drew Mitchell scored two tries and James O'Connor one as the Baa-Baas led 19-3 at half-time. Bakkies Botha and Bandise Maku scored late tries for South Africa to make the score line more respectable

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal have gone to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Fulham. Arsene Wenger's team took advantage of Chelsea's 1-1 home draw with Everton while Manchester United's game at Blackpool was postponed due to heavy snow.

Carlos Tevez scored to give 10-man Manchester City a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers as West Brom took a 3-1 win over Newcastle United and Sunderland beat West Ham 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

DUBAI SEVENS: England have beaten Samoa 29-21 to win the Dubai Sevens. England came from behind to beat the defending series champions’ Samoa. In the semi-finals England beat New Zealand 19-14 and Samoa beat Fiji 24-21.The second round has teams competing in South Africa next weekend

BLACKCAPS: The Black Caps were given another comprehensive cricketing lesson as India beat the Kiwis by 9 wickets in the third ODI in Baroda. New Zealand have only managed three wickets in two matches.

The Indian cricketers now have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series while New Zealand need to show some fight after their ninth straight ODI loss.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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