TODAY we continue our countdown to The Gazette Sports Awards in March as Graham Merry looks at the next five sportsmen and sportswomen nominated for the title of Gazette Sports Personality of the Year.

SIMON BUCKLAND - rugby: The pacey back was Basingstoke RFC's leading try scorer for the 2003-2004 season and was voted player of the season by Gazette readers.

Shoulder and back problems kept him out of the starting 15 for the first few months of the London one season, but he has returned to get back among the tries.

JEFF EWASKO - ice hockey: The tallest player ever to play for the Basingstoke Bison. This Canadian is a firm fan favourite who scores goals, dishes out the big hits and, if called upon, is not afraid to use his fists. This he proved in the opening seconds of his league debut for the Herd with Andre Payette of the Coventry Blaze.

SERGIO TORRES - football: The Argentine is the heartbeat of Basingstoke Town's side, and manager Ernie Howe was delighted to secure the classy midfielder's services for another season in August.

Strong, quick and skilful, Torres consistently delivers for 90 minutes and has also fronted up despite hamstring/ groin injuries.

JOSH GOODALL - tennis: A prime contender for the most improved British player of last year.

Back in April, the 19-year-old played in Korea without a ranking point to his name. Just 100 matches later, he cracked the world's top 350.

His best singles result last year was a semi-final in the Bolton Challenger tournament.

ROBERT TOBIN - athletics: This Old Basing runner had another great year, which saw him in the Great Britain 4x400 metres relay squad at the Athens Olympic games.

He won his second GB vest in a meeting at Leipzig, and during the season he lowered his personal best for the 400m five times.