THE county’s finest talent will be out in force tonight at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

Held at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, 35 shortlisted finalists are gunning for glory.

Cricketer Jack Brooks, cycle speedway ace Zac Payne and two-time previous winner, MotoGP star Bradley Smith will fight it out for the sportsman of the year award.

In the women’s category, footballer Demi Lambourne, archer Nichola Simpson, and rider Izzy Taylor do battle.

All the winners will be published in tomorrow’s Oxford Mail, with a two-page special report next Tuesday.

SHORTLIST

SPORTSMAN OF YEAR

Jack Brooks (cricket) Zac Payne (cycle speedway) Bradley Smith (MotoGP)

SPORTSWOMAN OF YEAR

Demi Lambourne (football) Nichola Simpson (archery) Izzy Taylor (equestrian)

CLUB OF YEAR

Abingdon Gymnastics Club Banbury & District Canoe Club Thame Town Cricket Club

TEAM OF YEAR

Oxford City Lions Futsal Oxford School of Gymnastics Oxford University Women’s Archery team

COACH OF YEAR

Jeremy Bristoe (rugby) Julie McDermaid (netball) Nikki Woodward (gymnastics)

JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON

Ben Goodall (gymnastics) Polly Hitchens (gymnastics) Jade O’Dowda (athletics) Rosie Weston (triathlon)

JUNIOR SPORTS TEAM

City of Oxford swimming Didcot Girls School Under 15 football Oxford Academy football

DISABILITY AWARD

Minster Lovell Cricket Club Richard Thomson (bocchia) Witney Wolves (rugby)

UNSUNG HERO

Nigel Boulter (football) Gary Dent (ice hockey) Ann Workman (athletics)

YOUNG VOLUNTEER

Bel Lovell (rugby) Nicholas Pinhol (cricket) Chloe Smart (football & ice hockey)

SPORTING SCHOOL

Blessed George Napier King Alfred’s Academy Sunningwell Primary Whitchurch Primary