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Good Week/Bad Week: The hot and cold points from sport this week

This week, amongst the snow and ice, there have been surprising victories, outrageous dismissals and a confession many had been waiting years for.

Jamie Donaldson
It was a combination of relief and surprise for Welshman Jamie Donaldson this week, as he took victory in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The golfer survived a late scare as he bogeyed the 18th. This gave Thorbjorn Olesen and Justin Rose in the final group the chance to tie his score of 14-under with a birdie. However, they both missed and Donaldson won with a final round 68.
England Netball
It was a historic victory for England, as they beat Australia 58-53, for only the third time. The hosts have now opened up a 1-0 Series lead, as they got the International Netball Series off to a flying start at the weekend in Bath. With Sunday's game being sold out, the brimming crowd highlighted the popularity of netball here in the UK as the reigning World Champions were silenced and England took away a victory ahead of their coming matches.
Andy Murray
The Australian Open has so far shown the best of British, despite Laura Robson and Heather Watson bowing out of the tournament late this week after some battling on-court displays. Andy Murray advanced to the last eight after beating Gilles Simon in straight sets, securing a comfortable 6-3 6-1 6-3 victory. There is still a long way to go for the Scot, who faces Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the last eight, but he is looking in good form in the sweltering Australian heat.

Bad...

Lance Armstrong
This week saw Lance Armstrong admit his career was "one big lie" as he confessed to using banned substances and blood transfusions to fuel his seven Tour de France victories. He spoke in an interview with Oprah Winfrey which was aired this week, however many critics believe there are many unanswered questions which need to be addressed.
England Cricket
Alastair Cook's men put in another poor batting display as India stormed into a 2-1 series lead following a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over England in the third one-day international at Ranchi. England were hurried out for just 155 batting first. The sides will meet again in Mohali for the fourth ODI on Wednesday and England must win the match to keep the series alive.
Nigel Adkins
Just when you thought football couldn't get any crazier, Southampton's executive chairman Nicola Cortese decided to sack Nigel Adkins as manager this week and replace him with Mauricio Pochettino. The former Scunthorpe coach guided the club to back-to-back promotions, and they are currently sat in 15th in the Premier League. It was an astonishing decision and one that has shocked the football world. If someone of Adkins' calibre and record of success isn't safe in his job, there isn't much hope for other managers is there?
Leinster
There was disappointment for Heineken Cup holders Leinster at the weekend, as they missed out on a place in the quarter-finals following Munster's 29-6 bonus-point victory over Racing Metro. Leinster, who beat Exeter on Saturday, dropped into the Amlin Cup as Simon Zebo was the hat-trick hero at Thomond Park as Munster booked a quarter-final battle at Harlequins.

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