NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 33

NOTES BY FORWARD.

A. Laurenson leaves for Wellington at the close of this week. I am glad to hear that the shift is to the advantage of the popular young three-quarter back. I do not suppose that Lanrenson will be found playing football again — he has developed into a good referee, one of the best we had in Otago last season — but it may be as well to remind my readers that his career on the field has been a distinguished one. He was included in the representative team for three successive seasons — 1890 to 1892 — and he was a perfect tower of strength to the Kaikorai club.

A former resident of Dunedin, where he was intimately associated with one of the senior clubs, has forwarded me the following: — "A football match under Rugby rules was played at Zeehan, Tasmania, last month between the following teams, representing New Zealand Natives v. the Wi rid : — New Zealand : Full back, J. Dawson (Gore) ; three-quarter backs — C. Durbridge (Tiinaiu), T. Heighmay (Thames), W. Goidsworthy (Thames) ; half backs — H. Young (Riverton), Humphreys (Greymouth), W. Thorpe (Thames) ; forwards — A. Wells (Goromandel), captain, A. D. Sligo (Union Club, Dunedin), R S. Black (Timaru), W. Baird (Waitati), M'lvor (Star Club, Invercargill), A. Durbridge (Riverton), Mayne (Timaru), and Drew (Canterbury) The World: Full back, J. W. Hudson (Yorkshire) ; three-quarter backs — H. Wesley (Parramatta, New South Wales), A. Pnilip (Waimate, South Canterbury), captain, A. Morton (City Club, Launcesfcon) : half backs— S. Smith (Sydney), P. Morrison (Timaru, South Canterbury) ; forwards — J. Graham (Wairarapa, New Zealand), J. M 'Williams (Parramatta, New South Wales), J. Gregg (Star Club, Timaru, South Canterbury), A. Melrose (England), G. Lamb (New South Wales), C Wesley (Parramatta, New South Wales), R. Rusha (Star Club, Invercargill), J. O'Carrol (Ireland), and A. Woodlands (Silver King Club, Zeehan). The game was very stubbornly contested throughout, and terminated in a draw, neither side scoring. In scrummaging and dribbling the New Zealand Natives proved superior to their opponents, but in the open game the World representatives had a decided advantage, their backs being a very fast lot. Many of the players on both sides had not donned the Jersey for close on 10 yeara, so their condition can be more easily imagined than described. The proceeds were in aid of the local hospital, which deserving institution benefited to the extent of several pounds.