If nothing else, it sets the stage for what could be a spirited battle between two of the top teams this season.

There was a spirited battle for the Liberal nomination, and over 4,000 memberships were sold.

A spirited battle ended suddenly when Adams blundered in time pressure.

The spirited battle over naming and influencing the district's superintendent was just one of a number of things at stake.

If nothing else, the spirited but gentlemanly battle has focused attention on the problems of a special area with special needs.

In recent years, its newscasts have waged a spirited battle for first place.

In a close, spirited battle the bout ended in a draw, with many believing that Casamayor's best days were behind him.

He sat down at a street café and watched a spirited battle take place between market stalls, so that amid the cries of "Ripe olives!"

For much of the 1970s and 1980s, it waged a spirited battle for second place in the Chicago news ratings.

Though the Governor seems to hold the high cards, critics of the plan have fought a spirited and growing battle.