Thank you all for your varied and interesting entries. I have managed to narrow down the photos to the following which I feel best fulfil what I was looking for.
HM's
I like how the elements in this scene combine to portray the image of a lazy summer day in grand surroundings
Excellent composition and the use of b&w draws the viewer in, making them want to know what everyone is looking at
Fantastic symmetry and perfectly focused
Third Place
A stunning action shot Brad, I love how the neon lights in the background add a sense of drama and colour to the scene. It encapsulates everything that we love about sport - tension, drama, competition and colour.
Second Place
Another excellent series of entries Vijay. I love how they combine to portray the surroundings of such a beautiful place. Had the gentleman here been a little more separated from the bg it might just have won! That's being incredibly picky though (and might be nonsense anyway!) Beautiful shot, well done.
First Place
Perhaps the simplest composition, but as you can see that is no bad thing! It's amazing how often the fewer elements there are the better the photo. The focal length, composition, timing and even her expression are absolutely perfect. This is such a great example of what I was looking for - a blurred background bringing to life a shot. Imagine how different it would have been had you replaced her enchanted face with a generic grassy background. Well done Erich!