SWANSEA Uplands secured promotion from division five west with a 107-7 home win against Pembroke.

The Uplands finished second in the table behind Gowerton and will go up without having to go down the play-off route due to being the second best runner-up across the five division fives.

They ran in 17 tries on Saturday, the Edmunds brothers again getting on the scoresheet.

Four tries went to wing Harry Lees and three to full-back James Edmunds.

Centre Rhys Williams, wing Alex Greenslade and fly-half Tom Edmunds all got two each, with single scores going to centre Sion Edmunds, scrum-half Sam Jones, flanker Ben Davies and replacement Paul Beck.

In the only other match in five west, mid-table Penygroes won 15-8 at St Clears.

Their try-scorers were man of the match Gareth Davies and lock Jamie Gimblett, his first for Penygroes. Chris Powell added a conversion and penalty.

There was only one game in division six west, Fall Bay winning 6-3 at home to bottom club Llansawel on Friday.

The Gower side finished second from bottom.

BRITON Ferry Steel must be delighted with their new acquisition Steve Devonald.

The signing from division one Dafen took a match-winning 9-18 for the division two side the previous weekend, and on Saturday he took 4-25 as Llanelli were dismissed for just 84 in 34.3 overs.

Paul Evans chipped in with 3-9 as only No. 9 batsman Kevin Thomas (33no) provided any resistance — the next highest score was seven.

Then Devonald showed his ability with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 52 that contained 11 fours as Steel eased to a winning 85-3 in the 20th over. Lee Williams added 21 not out and Llanelli bowler Vaughan Thomas took 3-30.

Gorseinon looked a good bet for a victory at Bronwydd when they skittled the home team out for 117 in 43.2 overs.

Steffan Jones hit 49 for the Carmarthenshire side as Jamie Williams (5-29) and Daniel Allen (4-31) got stuck into the batsmen.

But Gorseinon themselves found batting difficult as they were dismissed for 98 in 37.1 overs, Eddy Evans top-scoring with 25.

George Gleeson (4-33), Steven Williams (3-19) and Gihan Fernando (2-11) all proved hard to cope with.

Morriston had the better of a draw at Swansea Civil Service in a game that was reduced to 47 overs per side.

Morriston made 208-9, due in the main to Sam Richards's unbeaten 87 and Kayron Stadno's 52 — Stadno is a Gibraltar international studying at Swansea Met University.

In their reply Service never got near the Morriston total and settled for a draw on 128-5. Damian Devonald made 36 and Nick Davies 30 not out.

Pontardawe were well beaten at Llandysul. The Swansea Valley side were bowled out for 96 in the 40th over and the Ceredigion hosts then eased to 97-3 in 20 overs.

THERE was no shortage of runs at Plunch Lane where Mumbles and Swansea played out a draw in the South Wales Premier League.

Mumbles batted first and amassed a huge 333-8 in their 50 overs.

Their first three batsmen all hit half-centuries, Rhodri Evans (55) and Aneurin Donald (58) putting on 118 for the first wicket, their good work being continued by No. 3 Graham Wagg (60) and then Daniel Roberts (33).

Then former Glamorgan all-rounder Darren Thomas came in at No. 7 and blasted an unbeaten 76 that included three fours and six sixes.

Jonathan Hubschmid with 2-53 was the best of the bowlers — four of the wickets fell to run-outs.

Enough

In reply, Swansea had only two men in double figures — but that was easily enough to claim a draw.

Openers Stewart Walters (145) and Nicholas James (57) put on 152 for the first wicket, Walters's knock containing 16 fours and two sixes.

Daniel Roberts and Rhodri Evans carried on from their good batting to claim 3-48 and 2-32 respectively.

In a rain-affected match in the Neath Valley, Ynysygerwn beat Ammanford by nine wickets using the Duckworth Lewis method.

Ammanford batted first and made 158-7 in their reduced 40 overs. Gareth Slade (45no) produced the only innings of note as Richard Grant took 3-31 and Tomos Evison 2-43.

Then Glamorgan opener Gareth Rees hit 51 not out, given useful support by Kieran Howells (29) and Grant (25no), as Ynys eased to a winning 113-1 in a revised 24 overs.

Andrew Salter (1-42) took the only wicket to fall.

Perfection

Sully Centurions timed their chase to perfection to beat visitors Port Talbot Town by three wickets.

Set 284 to win, Sully reached 287-7 with four balls to spare.

Ian Thomas (96), Mark Wallace (62) and Anthony Thomas (68) had shone with the bat as Port Talbot made 283-8.

Three Sully bowlers, Alex Jones, Michael O'Shea and Daniel Rowe, took two wickets each

But then despite the dismissal of O'Shea for a duck, fellow opener Ryan Sylvester made 90 and Gareth Davies hit an unbeaten 75 that included four fours and five sixes as the home side reached their target in 49.2 overs.

Sean Griffiths (3-61) and Lewis Jones (2-55) were the pick of the Port Talbot bowlers.

Pontarddulais held on to draw at home with Bridgend.

Bridgend made 219-6 in their 50 overs thanks mainly to 126 not out from opener Ben Wright.

Alistair Dalton added 48 as Owen Morgan took 3-29 and David Lloyd 2-56.

Then Bont were helped by the weather as they were wobbling on 169-8 in their innings, which was reduced to 40 overs because of rain. Lloyd hit 48 and skipper Gary Arrowsmith top-scored with 55.

In the other game in the Premier League, Cardiff beat Newport by two wickets.

Newport made 178-8 in their 44 overs and then couldn't prevent the home side reaching 182-8.

DAFEN crashed to a three-run defeat at Cowbridge in the lowest-scoring game of the day in division one of the Thomas Carroll Insurance South Wales Cricket Association.

Cowbridge batted first and slumped to 0-3 before Chris Willey (21) guided them to some semblance of respectability on 67 all out in 31.1 overs.

Chris Hudson (3-7), Aamir Ikram (3-24), Andrew Rowlands (2-16) and Matthew Evans (2-19) shared the wickets.

But then Dafen lost wickets at regular intervals as they in turn slumped to 64 all out in the 36th overs, Jeremy Dawes (22) and Jamie Mansel (10) the only batsmen in double figures. P. Harris was the chief destroyer with figures of 15-8-20-6.

There was another low-scoring game at Llangennech, where Clydach made 147-9 in their 47 overs thanks to contributions from Jason Davies (38) and Liam Garland (20).

Tom Carey took 3-29 and Simon Clement, Atif Hameed and Nathan Lewis took two wickets each.

Llangennech then struggled to 66-6 in 26 overs, with Huw Williams (37no) and Carey (21) the only batsmen to make more than three. Matthew Vaughan (3-25) and Brian Fisher (3-39) did the damage.

Tata Steel had an early finish at Maesteg Celtic, skittling out the hosts for 99 in 31.2 overs.

Tata scored 182-9 in their 50 overs, thanks chiefly to a 112-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Matthew Saker (65no) and Richard Jones (47). Lee Hicks took 4-42 for Celtic.

Tata's bowlers then held the upper hand as Michael Jones (15-3-36-7) and David Jones (2-46) tore through the batting. Gareth Hopkins top-scored for the hosts with 29.

The Neath v Gowerton game at The Gnoll fizzled out into a draw, cut short by the rain. Gowerton made 170-8 in their 48 overs, openers Paul Rees (81) and teenager Callum Eakins (36) the only innings of note as Keiron Bull took 4-33 and Joe Parkhouse 4-40.

Neath were then on 86-4 when the rain came in the 29th over to halt proceedings. Gareth Davies (46no) and Parkhouse (22no) were Neath's top-scorers.

Ynystawe's home game against Carmarthen Wanderers also fizzled out into a draw.

The Wanderers were bowled out for 147 before Ynystawe's innings drew to a close on 79-3 after 35 overs.

MIKE Lewis hit 118 for Neath III in their home draw with Llandarcy in division four of the Thomas Carroll Insurance South Wales Association.

Lewis struck 14 fours, and was assisted by Chris Williams 48 and Gareth Bowden (24no) as they declared on 262-4 after 41 overs.

Llandarcy then settled for a draw on 141-5 as the rain came in to end their innings in the 35th over.

Chris Harland made 66 and C. Owen 50 as Liam Davies (2-23) and Rhys Wilkes (2-12) were rewarded for their efforts.

Felinfoel won by five wickets at home to Llantwit Major Cavaliers.

The visitors were grateful to Julian Griffiths (78no) for holding their innings together as they reached 172-7 in their 48 overs.

Paul Hudson took 3-27 and Rhys Brown 2-45.

Felinfoel's batsmen then batted steadily to reach 173-5 in the 43rd over.

Mark Thomas (27), Nick Jones (22), Brown (14), Matthew Havard (17) and Nathan Jones (23no) kept the scoreboard ticking along, and No. 7 Tom Jones then hit an unbeaten 53 that included four fours and three sixes to see the Llanelli side over the winning line as the two Joneses took them from 103-5 to 173-5.

Succession

Pwll beat near neighbours Kidwelly for the second Saturday in succession.

Pwll batted first and made 246-9, the biggest contributions coming from opener Craig Howells (82) and No. 8 batsman Rhodri Lewis (68).

Kidwelly were then skittled out for 108 for a 156-run defeat.

The other division four game, Llandeilo v Baglan, was called off without a ball bowled.

In division three, the Dyffryn v Pontyberem and Merthyr Tydfil v Cimla matches were also cancelled because of the weather, while Briton Ferry Town won an exciting game at Margam by one wicket.

Margam batted first and made 126-9 in their 48 overs, then Town reached 127-9 in the 43rd over.

Landore drew at home with Drefach.

Landore hit 149-5 in their 49 overs before the weather brought an early halt to Drefach's reply with their score on 75-1 after 29 overs.

Porthcawl made exactly 200 in their 50 overs at home to Maesteg.

The Llynfi Valley side then made a go of chasing victory but in the end had to settle for a draw on 185-8 in their 50 overs.

THE following are open tonight from 5.30pm to 6pm unless stated:

Clydach: *Lloyds, Heol y Nant and High Street. Crynant: S R Bailey, The Pharmacy. Cymmer: S R Bailey, Station Road. Cwmllynfell: Nat Co-op, Gwillym Road, 5.30-6pm. Morriston: Lloyds Pharmacy, Strawberry Place, 8.30am-6.30pm. Penclawdd: *Huw S Rees, The Pharmacy, 5.30-6pm. Resolven: The Pharmacy, 5.30-6pm. Swansea: Sainsbury's Instore Pharmacy, Quay Parade, 8am-10pm; Tesco Fforestfach, 8am-8pm. Treboeth: *W A & J B Lewis, 697 Llangyfelach Road, 5.30-6.15pm. Uplands: *Nat Co-op Pharmacy, 55 Uplands Crescent, 5.30-7pm. Ystradgynlais: C Jones, 43 Gurnosfa, Gurnos, Lower Cwmtwrch, 5.30-6pm. Llangennech: *Gravelle Pharmacy, 5.30-6pm. Newcastle Emlyn: *C I Hopkins, Bridge Pharmacy. 5.30-6pm.

*Oxygen equipment stocked.

For details of pharmacies (including out of hours) contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

THE Wales Book of the Year journey short list has been announced via a special online broadcast.

The broadcast was hosted yesterday by radio DJ and television presenter Lisa Gwilym.

Lisa was joined for the announcement by two of the Wales Book of the Year judges Alun Gibbard and Jasper Fforde who discussed the panel's choices and gave a unique insight into the judging experience.

The 2013 short list features writers at various stages of their literary careers.

While James Smythe and Deryn Rees-Jones both appear on the list for the first time, as does Rhian Edwards for her debut poetry collection, other writers featured are no stranger to the award, with John Harrison and Jon Gower both having won the accolade in recent years.

DOCTORS have expressed alarm at the low turnout at MMR drop-in clinics last weekend.

Just 381 vaccinations were given, adding to more than 7,500 provided at weekend drop-in clinics over the past four weeks.

The number of measles cases in the Swansea outbreak has now reached 1,074 with the hardest hit group being 10 to 18-year-olds.

Dr Sara Hayes, ABM director of public health, said: "We are particularly concerned because our records show there are 9,000 4 to 18-year-olds in the ABM area who have not had their MMR.

"We understand parents may have given their children the single measles jab thinking this means they are protected from measles.

"Unfortunately, this is not the case. The quality and effectiveness of single vaccines in protecting individuals from measles is unknown. However, the MMR vaccination is licensed and regulated and its quality and ability to protect against measles is supported by independent clinical and scientific evidence.

"For these reasons alone I urge all parents whose children have not had two MMR to have them vaccinated. There is no guarantee they are protected against measles if they've only had the single vaccine.

"My message is if you were born after 1970 and have not had two doses of MMR please protect yourself by having the MMR now."

The advice given by Dr Hayes is echoed by local GP Dr Dai Lloyd. He said: "The MMR is the only vaccination for which we have proof it provides effective and safe protection against measles, mumps and rubella. As a family GP I am well aware of the devastating effect these diseases have on an individual and their family. Please do not settle for anything less than the MMR for protection."

MMR drop-in clinics will be held again this Saturday, 10am to 4pm, at Princess of Wales, Bridgend; Neath Port Talbot; Singleton; and Morriston hospitals.

Vaccination teams will be going to Gower College's Gorseinon campus today and Tycoch campus tomorrow. They will visit Neath Port Talbot College's Neath campus on Thursday and Afan campus on Friday.

PITMAN Training Centre in Alexandra Road in Swansea is opening its doors to the public to offer free advice to anyone interested in developing their skills as part of Adult Learners Week which starts on Monday.

YOUNGSTERS in the Dulais Valley are busy rehearsing for a concert which will be held this Sunday at 10.30am.

Children who attend a Sunday Club at Saron Chapel, Brynawel Road, Crynant, will be performing at the chapel under the baton of Michael Williams.

There will also be a Cymanfa Ganu at 6pm that evening with four-part traditional singing.

PONTARDDULAIS'S new mayor is councilllor David Beynon.

He was nominated at a meeting last week.

A MULTI-MILLION pound programme to introduce public sector organisations to novel businesses has been launched by the Welsh Government.

The first phase of the £3 million Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Innovation Catalyst Programme has been launched to help public sector organisations identify specific challenges to which businesses could offer innovative solutions.

Economy minister Edwina Hart said: "Wales is home to thousands of innovative businesses that are working on pioneering technologies which could be used to combat national challenges facing Wales.

"The challenge is to ensure these businesses are given the opportunity to showcase their ideas to public sector organisations, and the Innovation Catalyst Programme will help identify challenges and invite suggestions from innovative companies on how these problems could be overcome."

A SWANSEA group helping people recover from emotional difficulties is celebrating 12 years in the city.

Emotions Anonymous (EA) Swansea has been holding weekly meetings for more than a decade at the Friends Meeting House in Page Street to help people to turn their lives around.

THE trial of a man charged with 37 child sex offences including rape, sexual assault and making and possessing indecent images is expected to start hearing evidence today.

John Andrew Booth is charged with six counts of raping a child under 13 along with five counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He also faces a further 25 charges of making indecent images of a child on dates between May 2008 and March 2012.

The final charge the 37-year-old, of St John Street, Whitland, has pleaded not guilty to is possession of 118 indecent photos of a child.

Yesterday, he spoke only to confirm his name before a jury was sworn in at Swansea Crown Court.

The prosecution is expected to open their case at noon today.

A MAJOR art and craft exhibition is being held on Saturday at St Peter's Church in Cockett.

The exhibition will allow visitors to view and purchase water colours and oil paintings produced by members of a painting class at the church.

The event will also offer the chance to inspect exhibits and cake decoration by the ladies of the sugar craft class whose theme this year is Celebration Cakes.

A church spokesman said: "This year members have decided that all proceeds from the exhibition will go to the wonderful work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Unit at Singleton Hospital and the fundraising endeavours of the group have been boosted by the generous donation of a painting by the renowned Pembrokeshire artist Adrian James as a raffle prize."

The exhibition runs from 10am to 4pm, admission is £1.

GLYNNEATH singer Elise Evans has thanked the judges on The Voice for their support.

The 18-year-old failed to make it through to the next round on the BBC show.

She lost out when she was pitted against her fellow team member Cherelle Basquine.

Their mentor Sir Tom Jones backed her rival and the other coaches — Jessie J, Danny O'Donohue and Will.i.am failed to take the opportunity to poach her for their teams.

On Twitter the former Neath Port Talbot College student said: "I'm blessed I got to work with @RealSirTomJones what a gentleman, what a coach! COME ON #TEAMTOM."

She also added: "And would also love to thank @JessieJ @iamwill and @TheScript_Danny you're all such amazing inspirational people. Thank you :)"

PUPILS from a Swansea school are leaving the classroom behind to help their local community — and you are being invited to along to meet them.

Around 90 youngsters from Dylan Thomas Community School are spending two weeks at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, helping to spruce up the venue, organising sports tournaments for local children, putting on exhibitions and talks and making refreshments for visitors and staff.

And the pupils are sending an open invitation to members of the community — "come along and meet us, and find out what we do".

All the students involved in the project are working towards the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification at the school.

One of those swapping the classroom for the community centre is Curtis Mills.

He said: "As pupils of Dylan Thomas, we really want to show the community what we can do, and how much we want to support our community.

"We are looking forward to our time at the Phoenix Centre.

"Sometimes people have a different view of young people which we want to challenge — we would really like it if you could take 10 minutes from your day and come along to the centre to meet us and find out more about us."

The Welsh Bacc, as it is known, is a qualification that in addition to the normal academic courses such as English, maths and science, also requires pupils to learn about subjects like Wales and it position in the world, and personal and social issues. The pupils also have to carry out work placements and a community initiative.

The Phoenix Centre project has been organised by former South Wales Police chief superintendent Mark Mathias. After retiring from the force in January he became a Welsh Bacc mentor at Dylan Thomas.

Over the coming days the students will be carrying out a range of work at the Phoenix from painting lines in the car park to repairing fences.

They will also be organising five-a-side football and netball matches for primary schools in the area, holding a series of talks about Dylan Thomas school, and making those all-important cups of tea and sandwiches for centre staff and for visitors who pop in for a chat.

The students will be at the centre today, Wednesday and Thursday this week, from 10am to noon.

They will be returning to the centre again next week, from Tuesday to Thursday, again from 10am to noon.

Dylan Thomas head teacher Rob Philips said the Phoenix Centre project was a great example of the school being at the heart of the community.

He said: "This initiative is part of the students' community participation programme.

"The students have been involved in designing this project and are now delivering it — and benefiting from learning lots of valuable life skills along the way.

"The community also benefits from having the work done at the centre.

"The students are the best advertisement for the school — and this project will give people an insight into what we do here at Dylan Thomas school."

PROMOTING energy drinks to young people will be the centre of a National Assembly for Wales debate.

Tomorrow in the Senedd there will be a debate on the health concerns associated with caffeine-loaded drinks and young people.

"Research here and in Europe confirm that this has become a major problem," said AM Jenny Rathbone, who put forward the individual member debate.

It has also been supported by Swansea East AM Mike Hedges.

"A significant minority of adolescents are hooked on this stuff, drinking it on the way to school and during their lunch break.

"People who work with children say it can have a major impact on young people's behaviour.

"The long term health effects need further research, but worryingly caffeine is thought to affect iron and calcium absorption.

"I believe that the drinks industry voluntary code of practice not to target children with their products is being blatantly ignored."

THE successful battle to approve life-changing cystic fibrosis treatment should be a herald a new dawn for pharmaceutical drugs in Wales, an Assembly Member has said.

Last week Health Minister Mark Drakeford went against his advisors and allowed Kalydeco to be made available on the Welsh NHS.

Plaid Cymru Bethan Jenkins welcomed the move, but believes further so-called "orphan drugs" like Kalydeco should now be given the go-ahead.

Miss Jenkins plans to raise the issue during Plenary in the Senedd today. She said: "Instead of 'blockers' — drugs that treat symptoms — we are seeing medicines such as Kalydeco that treat the underlying cause — in effect, cure the patient.

"But if orphan drugs like these have to go through such a laborious process every time, pretty soon Wales will be looked upon as a place where it is hard to introduce new medicines.

"That could lead to pharmaceutical companies looking at other markets.

"The feeling among medical professionals is that the system of orphan drugs needs to be more flexible. This needs to be tackled."

RESIDENTS recycling in Swansea can swap their ageing or broken equipment at a special amnesty taking place in the city.

The council's recycling team will be visiting local supermarkets between today and Friday and will be handing out new recycling equipment, including garden waste sacks and food recycling containers.

Today they will be at Sainsbury's, Quay Parade; tomorrow they will be in – Asda, Gorseinon; on Thursday the event is at Asda, Llansamlet; and on Friday at Morrisons, Morfa Retail Park.

Trish Flint, Swansea Council's recycling officer said: "Any resident that needs to replace their food waste container or swap their ageing garden waste sacks, can bring them along to one of the amnesty events. We will swap them for new and make sure the old ones are disposed of properly."

Every home in Swansea was provided with plastic food recycling bins when the service was introduced in 2009 and last year residents in the city recycled more than 7,000 tonnes of leftover food.