Ian Todd scores try for Southland rugby against Wanganui in 1956......

Ian Todd

Southland redeemed their loss to Hawkes Bay by beating Wanganui in 1956.   Southland 18 Wanganui 8 did not represent the true merits of the game, with Wanganui outplaying Southland in the first half but only coming away with three points. Southland also scored three to make the score 3-3 at half time.

The teams were:
Wanganui:  S. Mander, C. O'Leary, I. Lockett, G. Healey, M. Chase, P. N. Jones, L. Edwards, M. Potaka, W. Erikson, W. Potts, T. Oldfield, J. Fitchett, R. Carroll, R. Dallison, R. Hurn.
Southland:  D. L. Ashby, R. W. Gilson, Kevin Laidlaw, Ray Todd, A. L. Wilson, R. S. Terry, J. S. McKenzie, Ack Soper, Ian Todd, I. M. Miller, Bert Winders, T. Ryan, H. O'Neill, C. A. Woods, C. A. Lamb.

THE GAME

​The crowd of 3-4000 were disappointed with Southland's effort and did not have much hope for their challenge of the Ranfurly Shield the following weekend against Canterbury.
The team looked stale with the backs at odds with each other, missing many tackles and not finding any combination that worked.
Both teams suffered injuries with Wanganui losing their nippy half back, L. Edwards in the first five minutes.  
Edwards collided with D. L. Asbhy while they were both going for a high ball, both players were knocked out.
Wanganui had to shuffle their team, with I. Lockett, a smart and versatile player going into half back and A Williams the replacement for Edwards going to the wing.
H. O'Neill (Southland) was replaced by G. Groves.
Ack Soper, who was trying his best to get the side going, received an ankle injury and was replaced by No. 8, E. Jamieson.
R. W. Gilson, Southland's left wing made some good breaks, but it was Wanganui that took the lead after half time with C. O'Leary, Lockett and P. Jones combining well and breaking through the Southland defence with the former scoring under the posts and he also managed to convert.
M. D. Earwaker replaced Kevin Laidlaw when Wanganui were threatening to score but were lucky that they were held up.
One minute from full time, Lockett was caught on his goal line with ball in hand.  In a scramble, Ian Todd for Southland managed to secure the ball and score.