Poncelet run for second title

France’s Xavier Poncelet (c) Agathe Séron

Xavier Poncelet has a one shot lead heading into the final round of the 2014 Open International de la Mirabelle d’Or at Golf de La Grange aux Ormes.

The Frenchman, a winner of this title in 2012, has a narrow advantage over compatriot Jean Pierre Verselin with Italian Nino Bertasio a shot further back on five under.

Bertasio has already won twice this season and carded a best of the day four under 67 to get himself firmly in contention.The 25-year-old from Brescia leads the Order of Merit and must be a genuine threat to the leader Poncelet.

The 28-year-old Poncelet got off to a bad start on Saturday, dropping a shot at the par five first. He replied with a birdie at the fourth to go to the turn in level par.

Poncelet picked up another birdie at the 12^th and then eagled the 13^th but a dropped shot at the par three 16th saw him sign for a two under 69.

Verselin stayed in touch following an up and down round that included two double-bogeys, six birdies and bogey. If he can keep the mistakes off his card he could yet have a big say in the final shake-up on Sunday.