1.   Although still carrying the hallmarks of a true fishing port, Padstow is fast gaining ground in the popularity stakes.

2.   Although she trails slightly in published polls, tracking polls show her gaining ground, gay activists say.

3.   And it is fast gaining ground in China.

4.   And in the animal-print department, faux leopard is everywhere, but black-and-white fantasy pony, Dalmatian and zebra are gaining ground.

5.   Basketball is now twice as popular as football, and soccer is gaining ground by leaps and bounds among kids in that age group.

6.   Also gaining ground was Greg Jones, the tailback.

7.   But critics of this approach have been gaining ground, maintaining that the effort to keep dysfunctional families together too often harms children.

8.   But gaining ground will continue to be difficult.

9.   But profiling for certain criminal tendencies, especially among students, is gaining ground.

10.   Gaining ground against the fire has been an agonizingly slow process since it began a week ago Tuesday, fire spokesman Jim Paxon said.