NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 26

NOTES BY FORWARD.

We are having delightful weather this season, and players and spectators alike seem to be enjoying themselves. The great attraction on Saturday was tht contest between the two oldest clubs in Dunedin, which ended in a drawn game with no score on either side. There was some splendid play towards the close of the game, the chief features of which were the splendid rushes of the Dunedin forwards and the excellent tackling of D. Fraser, the Union full back, who saved his side time after time. The Dunedin forwards are the best olub forwards I have seen for many a long day, though there are a couple of men who might judiciously be weeded out. The surprise of the day was the defeat of the Ziugari-Ricbmond combination by the University club. This was quite unexpected, but the score of four points to nothing proves that the win was by no means a -flukey one. Thomson scored a try with a brilliant run, and Cook potted a goal. Milne seems to have got his men into good form now, and the remaining matches in which the 'Varsity takes part will be watched with interest.

Warbrick's team, which has started well, is due here on the 28th inst. Two trial matches will be played previous to that date. SrcrfcUrie* of clubs are requested to send in th-J names of their best players to the Match Cucumiilee at once.

The Englishmen are still pegging away at tha Victorian game with varying success. They have now won a few matches, and everything goes to prove that this Victorians are not such big guns affeer All. Wheu it is remembered what the Englishmen have gone through in the way of travelling and playing matches, aud the little practice they have had, their performance is really most creditable. Basides, it must be remembered that only half of the team, or less than, half — viz., the backs, are suited to the style of play in the Victorian game. If the Englishmen were a team of backs they would give some of tho best clubs a very warm reception. I would undertake to get a New Zealand team of backs, who with a month's practice would, I am sure, beat the crack Melbourne clubs at their own game. I shall not be at all surprised to hear of the Englishmen winning a few more games before they leave Victoria. There is some talk about the Aucklanders not coming down after all this season. As yet, however, no official communication hns been received from tho A.R.F.U. to that effect.

I clip the following from Lnnd and Water: — The English Rugby Union Football team has so far been completely successful in New Zealand. Tho Englishmen have won every match, aud, with Sfcoddart'a assistance, seem likoly to prove invincible when playing their own Rugby Union game. Very big gates have attended the matches, and the result of the last game is thus described : — Reuter's telegram, dated Christchurch (NVw Zealand), May 9 : " The r«turn match bstween the English football team and a fifteen of the county of Canterbury was played to-day in tha presence of some 4000 spectators. Although the weather was fine the ground *ras rather heavy; but this did not prevent some fast play. The visitors again proved too good for the local men, and after an interesting match, in the course of which Hattlam and Kent, of the English team, especially distinguished themselves by splendid runs, the Englishmen came off victorious, having obtained four tries to nil." How the team will get on in Australia, when they attempt the Victorian game, it is hard to say; but evidently the New Zealand clubs are not at present up to the standard of our best English teams. So far, as a moneymaking speculation, the trip has paid well. The Maoris had the best of the game at Napier all through on Saturday. Their forwards played aa one man, while their backs were very effective. Early in the game Smiler carried the ball over the line, and Joe Warbrick kicked a goal. Warbrick next got a pass near the half-way flag, ran through the opposing backs, touched down right behind the posts, and from the try kicked a neat goal. During the first spell the Maoris had the wind against them. In the second spell Warbrick kicked a splendid goal from a mark by Kararui. Smiler also obtained a try. The final result was — Maoris, 11 points; Hawke's Bay, nil. The latter were nearly all the time on the defensive, and were beaten in every department of the game. The members of the team arrived at Auckland on Monday by the Te Anau, and were cordially greeted by tho local players.