There was no logical case for believing one of them would be in serious contention for the accolade.

With four or five parties in serious contention, many seats would be won by candidates securing only 25-30 per cent of the vote.

He was not in serious contention and finished in a tie for 11th place.

He has never reached the final month of a campaign without being in serious contention for more than one trophy.

He had been told he was 'in serious contention' for the 200,000-a-year job.

We are very much in gold medal contention.

But taking the step up to medal contention at big competitions has proved difficult.

There are others which are not in medal contention.

Lake found herself in a field of six and in medal contention.

Now, it's not even in medal contention after upsetting analysts and shareholders with lacklustre earnings.

The team rebounded that season, and was in playoff contention until losing their last two games for another 88 record.

After a 53 start, a three-game losing streak effectively eliminated the club from playoff contention.

The loss officially wiped out the 49ers from playoff contention.

The team recovered during the 1991 outdoor season, finishing 8-8, but out of playoff contention.

He attributed his choice to their playoff contention in recent years.

I reject the contention that any of you has shown anything resembling remorse.

We categorically reject this contention.

I would reject that contention.

He rejected the contention that the only director of the relevant insolvent companies was a corporate director.

The judge rejected that contention for, inter alia, the reason that the excessive value of the packages did not in any way cause the loss.

Some economic data also support the contention that things are on the cusp of getting better.

However, it was the comedy double acts who provided the researchers with the clearest evidence to support their contention that being very funny was not always a laughing matter.

Opponents point to the same figures to support their contention that insufficient demand exists to justify the new lock.

They haven't courted it, they insist - and their long gestation up to signing a record deal supports this contention.

Further data supports your contention that these regions would benefit were this state presence restrained.

Meaning they are a star shy of title contention.

As a pro from 1988 he began to punch his way into title contention with a series of first and second-round wins.

Arsenal have been in title contention for much of the season but, having picked up only eight points from their past seven matches, find themselves at 150-1.

He led the team back to title contention in 1989.

While both men had respectable showings, neither managed to advance far enough to be in title contention.