It was enough to bring anyone up short.

A pair of dirty rugby shorts netted over $7,000 for the Bermuda Rugby Football Union during a fund raising auction last weekend.

The shorts were worn by British Lions' scrum half Matt Dawson during the team's win in the first test against South Africa last month.

That game marked the Lions' first win against that country since 1974. The team went on to win the three test series 2-1.

The shorts were signed by all the members in the squad and a man -- who wishes to remain nameless -- purchased the shorts for $7,250 following a short period of frenzied bidding at a banquet on Friday night.

BRFU president John Williams told The Royal Gazette : "We had a dinner at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club last Friday which was organised by members of our National Team squad.

"Three members of the Lion's squad -- Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson and Nick Beal -- are here along with England `A' winger Harvey Thornycroft.

"They are assisting in squad preparations for our World Cup games in October and agreed to attend the dinner which was for prospective sponsors and other people.'' Mr. Williams said a variety of things were on auction to raise funds for the squad and Mr. Grayson auctioned a pair of Mr. Dawson's unwashed shorts which had been signed by all the members of the Lion's squad.

"Matt scored the winning try in the first test which was the Lion's first win in South Africa since 1974.

"He knew he was coming to Bermuda before he went to South Africa, and as we had looked after him on previous visits here, he wanted to do something for us so he got the shorts signed and put them aside for the auction.'' Mr. Williams explained that the shorts would be a valuable piece of memorabilia due to the signatures on them and the fact that they had been worn during the historic game.

He noted that Mr. Dawson was not expected to be selected to go on the Lions' tour originally yet had turned out to be the star of the series.