South Wales Evening Post

Further Selection Problems for Wales, This Time in Midfield

JOHN Toshack has been left with a selection headache ahead of Wales's two World Cup qualifiers this month. The Welsh boss has been left without a trio of midfielders for the forthcoming games against Finland (October 10) and Liechtenstein (October 14).

Is It Time to Jack Russell? ; Sportsline

A Rugby Revelation ; Sportsline

I HAVE followed rugby all my life, and from a tender age at the often cold and wet Old Parish ground. But for the past 30 years I have been at St Helen's, where as a family we have enjoyed some great, exciting rugby. Then came the 'professional era' and regional rugby. Regional rugby was meant to raise the standards of Welsh rugby. That is questionable. Some of the games I have seen either live or on television have been the most boring of any period. or the game.

Friendly Gesture Put Shot-Stopper On Path to Top ; Swans Teen de Vries Slow to Discover Keeping Ability

AT the age of 15, Dorus de Vries attended a local football competition just to keep his close friend happy. There he donned the gloves for the first time in his life -- little did he know what was to follow.

Wales Over-50s Disappoint Despite Home Advantage

WELSH woe continued on the indoor international scene when the over-50s team failed to win a game in the Warner Leisure Hotels BIIBC Senior Double Rink Championship at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel. Wales were forced into one change from the original eight-man team when Cardiff's Wayne Letman withdrew; Swansea's David Phillips was elevated from reserve to make his debut in the event.

Big Croke Park Date for Nigel

WELSH referee Nigel Owens has been handed the showdown of the autumn internationals -- Ireland against South Africa at Croke Park on November 28. The Pontyberem official has also been appointed to take charge of the battle between England and Argentina two weeks earlier.

Lee Back in the Swing -- As If He'd Never Been Away ; Magners League Full-Back Ace Quickly Into His Stride After Lions

LEE Byrne has made the challenge of returning to action after a Lions tour look as easy as drinking a cup of tea. He had 11 weeks on the sidelines after injuring a foot in the first Test in South Africa, yet has slipped back into the old routine without any fuss or dramas.

Edinburgh a Different Proposition On the Road ; Scots Enjoying Best Away Run

THE Ospreys face Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow intent on arresting the Scots' best ever away run. Once, Scottish sides travelling to Wales used to come over all queasy on climbing aboard the team bus.

What has Happened to Records? ; Have Your Say

I AM sure I read in the Post not too long ago that a new records system has been brought in at Singleton Hospital at a cost of millions. Why, then, is it not working as it should? Three times on recent visits to the hospital my father has turned up for an appointment to be told his records can't be found.

Pic of the Day Your Paper, Your Photos

Thank-You for Honest Deed ; Have Your Say

MY heart-felt thanks to the gentleman (name not known), who handed in my purse at the Rumble in the Jungle jumble sale in Murton Hall on Saturday, September 26. Such honesty was much appreciated, especially as it was such a busy, exciting and successful venture, organised by Air Ambulance Wales volunteers.

Help Find My Mum's Family ; Have Your Say

I HAVE been researching my family tree and I remember that my late mother Betty Cook (nee Davis) had relatives in Neath, so I am trying to trace them. I know she mentioned Pru and Nancy Glover, and possibly also a brother Bert, and I have some photos of my parents with Pru and Nancy on a visit to Neath in about 1950. I believe that their grandfather was Herbert Ebenezer Glover, a sea captain who was my great-great-grandfather. I was also told that the Glovers ran a wine merchants shop. If any...

Helping Is Key to Happiness ; Have Your Say

THE Nation is unhappy. According to an ICM poll, only one in 10 people are feeling as happy or happier than they did before the recession. But, thankfully, the same poll reveals what could make us happier. The good news is happiness is free.

Questions Over Plant Remain ; Have Your Say

IT says a lot about the Environment Agency's decision to give Prenergy power station the go ahead that its press statement quotes Tony Grayling, the agency's head of climate change and sustainability development, saying: "Biomass plants such as Prenergy's Port Talbot power station will play an important role in helping combat climate if the wood they burn is sourced sustainably." Mr Grayling's comment begs the question: have Prenergy proved the wood is sustainable? Experts on biomass claim Pr...

Parents Leading Closure Fight ; Have Your Say

THE campaign against closure of Godre'rgraig Community School is led by the parents and governors of the school, not the school staff. The 28 pupils in nursery/reception are part of the total number of 88 pupils on roll. The parents and governors are determined to fight Neath Port Talbot Council proposals and will undertake a rolling programme of opposition to the threatened closure of this succesful valley community school.

Poemof the Day ; the Wind and the Spider

The wind was whirling all around, the cobwebs falling on the ground. A spider starts to do repairs, the fly sticks there unawares. The whistling wind stops spider's goal of reaching fly, it is so.

Drama

Criminal Justice Monday, 9pm, BBC1 PREPARE yourself, watch this first episode and you are committing yourself to another four evenings of heavy duty drama. Peter Moffat's latest offering takes the same form as last year's -- tracing a crime through from its committal to a suspect's arrest and eventual trial. It is helped by Moffat's spot-on knowledge of the British justice system, and its many faults, but chiefly by the performances of its stars.

Rewind

You might have missed it first time round but now is your chance to catch ... What Wallander Where Wednesday, 11pm, BBC4 KENNETH Branagh's English language version of the Swedish detective may have scooped gongs and a prime-time place in the schedules, but for fans of the original crime thrillers by Henning Mankell, this is the one that really delivers.

Soap Watch

Emmerdale IT just goes to show it takes more than a beautiful dress and a new hairdo to change a person. Charity Dingle was revealed to be her daughter Debbie's lover's fiance (keep up at the back). Same old Charity, then, and still such a despicable a piece of work that even though it was her chap Michael who cheated on her, he came out of this messy business and claimed the moral high ground. Coronation Street DEAR Fiz, she has always deserved so much better in life -- a decent mum, a decen...

Lead Lady Is Perfectly Matched ; Tv Highlights

IMAKE no apologies for trumpeting the arrival of this four-part adaptation of one of Jane Austen's best loved novels from the highest roof tops. My enthusiasm may have been increased by watching it straight after a dose of the worthy but joyless Criminal Justice (see below) but the elegance and gentility and -- believe me if you have never read it -- humour of the world of Miss Emma Woodhouse is a perfect way to round off a weekend.