Kevin Laidlaw key player for Southland rugby against Canterbury in 1956....

G Patterson (Canterbury) gets past Kevin Laidlaw and R. W. Gilson (Southland).

Southland won the toss and elected to play against the wind.  Canterbury took advantage of this and Henderson kicked long and deep to ensure Southland did not get any opportunities.  There was wave after wave of red and black jerseys which ascended on Southland and the tactic paid off. Southland's half back, Jack McKenzie under a high ball, was swamped by defenders and lost control. Dixon was on hand to retrieve - quick pass to big prop Whineray who crashed over to score.

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The teams were:
Southland:  D.L. Ashby, R. W. Gilson, Michael Earwaker, Ray Todd, Kevin Laidlaw, Len Wilson, Jack McKenzie, A. J. Soper, Ian Todd, R. J. Bowen, Bert Winders, I. M. Miller, H. O'Neill, G. E. Groves, C. A. Lamb.
Canterbury:  G. Patterson, R. M. Smith, A. E. G. Elsom, M. J. Dixon, C. McDonald, S. K. Henderson, S. G. Bremner, P. B. Vincent, N. Roberts, J. B. Buxton, R. H. Duff, N. Teague, S. F. Hill, E. Hern, J. Creighton, W.J. Whineray.



Canterbury had several runs and after 17 minutes, first five eight, Bremner went short side from a ruck, whipped the ball infield to Duff - quick hands to Dixon who scored under the posts.
Southland lost a chance when Len Wilson kicked ahead from half way and Gilson caught Dixon with ball, Laidlaw was there as ball rolled loose, Canterbury full back, Patterson was also there and contested for the ball.  He eluded Laidlaw and cleared.
After 25 minutes, Southland was penalised and Henderson converted.  Score 11-0.
Southland hard on defence managed to keep Canterbury at bay, Whineray almost scored again, then Vincent made play from one side to the other to try and catch out the Southland defence. Buxton (flanker) and Teague (lock) broke away with ball at toe, Wilson snatched the ball from their feet and ran into touch.
Ashby made a couple of saves with great clearing kicks.
Just before half time - Laidlaw gobbled up ground but half time was called.
Southland thought they would have a chance with the wind behind them now but could not penetrate the Canterbury defence.
Ian Todd and Groves for Southland crashed over from a lineout but Patterson was there and they were held up.
Canterbury were penalised in a lineout - Ashby converted.  11-3.
The Canterbury forwards started winning more and more ball, a scrum was set, Creighton the Canterbury hooker won a tight head, Vincent passed to Bremner on the blind and he walked across the line without being touched.
Southland supporters had one last hope when Kevin Laidlaw intercepted - ran upfield, was confronted by Patterson,  passed to Ian Todd who was grounded a few feet short by a shattering tackled from Canterbury's centre, Elsom.
Final score: 17-3.