EDDIE Pepperell’s stunning form in the second half the year has earned him a place on the shortlist for the 2017 Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

The Abingdon golfer recorded seven top-ten finishes in eight European Tour events to secure his place in the sportsman of the year category for the first time.

But he faces stiff competition from Luke Southwood, a goalkeeper in the England Under 20 squad that won football’s World Cup and rugby league star Josh Griffin, who helped Hull FC beat Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

The sportswoman of the year accolade also looks like being close-run.

Oxford City athlete Gemma Bridge became national race walking champion and represented Great Britain in the European Championships.

Taekwon-do star Kirsty Miller captained England in the European Championships, winning four medals, before claiming individual silver in the World Championships in North Korea.

The shortlist is completed by golfer Cara Gainer, who won the English Women’s Amateur Matchplay Championship, as well as the Oxfordshire County Championship.

The team of the year is one of the most competitive categories.

Aston Rowant Cricket Club’s 1st XI won Division 2 of the Home Counties Premier League and made the last four of the national Village Cup, agonisingly missing a trip to Lord’s.

They are up against Oxfordshire rugby’s 1st XV, who triumphed at Twickenham in the County Championship Plate, beating Sussex by virtue of scoring more tries after an epic final ended 29-29.

The men’s 1st VIII from Oxford Brookes University Rowing Club swept all before them and complete the shortlist.

As well as winning at Henley Royal Regatta, they were also crowned the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) and EUSA (European Universities) champions and were awarded the BUCS team of the year, beating 5902 others to the top prize.

Abingdon Gymnastics, shortlisted but not successful 12 months ago in the club of the year category, bid to go one better this time around.

They are up against Radley Athletics Club and Banbury Blues Netball Club.

The junior categories were, as ever, fiercely contested.

The sportsman of the year shortlist is made up of tumbler Ben Goodall, badminton player Ethan Rose and cycle speedway rider William Jeffrey, all the teenagers having represented their country.

The same is true of the trio in the junior sportswoman – Elizabeth Ireland (nordic skiing), Enya Dale (canoeing) and Rowena Hearn (hockey).

The winners will be announced at an awards night, held at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Friday, January 19.

Tickets, priced at £42.95 for adults and £29.95 for juniors, go on sale today from oxspa.co.uk/osa.

FULL SHORTLISTS

SPORTSMAN OF YEAR
Josh Griffin (rugby league)
Eddie Pepperell (golf)
Luke Southwood (football)
SPORTSWOMAN OF YEAR
Gemma Bridge (athletics)
Cara Gainer (golf)
Kirsty Miller (taekwon-do)
CLUB OF YEAR
Abingdon Gymnastics
Banbury Blues Netball
Radley Athletics
TEAM OF YEAR
Aston Rowant 1st XI (cricket)
Oxfordshire 1st XV (rugby union)
Oxford Brookes University men’s 1st VIII (rowing)
COACH OF YEAR
Paul Hogben (hockey)
Siobhan Tierney (judo)
Katie Wales (football)
DISABILITY AWARD
Jack Cummings (swimming)
Dreaming Spires Ten Pin Bowling
Molly Ripley (football)
JUNIOR SPORTSMAN OF YEAR
Ben Goodall (gymnastics)
William Jeffrey (cycle speedway)
Ethan Rose (badminton)
JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF YEAR
Enya Dale (canoeing)
Rowena Hearn (hockey)
Elizabeth Ireland (nordic skiing)
JUNIOR TEAM OF YEAR
Clanfield Under 18 (football)
Oxford Academy Under 14 (football)
Team Matrix (netball)
SPORTING PRIMARY SCHOOL
Batt, Witney
Bladon
Sunningwell
SPORTING SECONDARY SCHOOL
Blessed George Napier
Cherwell
King Alfred’s Academy
UNSUNG HERO
John Dykes (hockey)
Joanna Kelly (netball)
Gordon Taylor (cricket)
YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF YEAR
Oliver Cartwright (squash)
Bea Curtis (football)
Lois MacDonald (netball)
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Go Active Gold 
Henley Hawks
Oxford Brookes University
ACTIVE WORKPLACE AWARD
Oxford Brookes University
Oxfordshire CCG
* shortlists chosen by an independent judging panel from nominations received