Canterbury got their 2008 Air New Zealand Cup campaign back on track with a hard-fought 20-13 win against Otago at Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon.

Played in overcast and sometimes wet conditions on a firm surface, Canterbury started with a hiss and a roar with a try to half-back Tyson Keats.

The try came after number eight Mose Tuiali’i made a strong break. He fed Kieran Read, who put the impressive half-back under the sticks. The try was converted by Colin Slade.

It was a terrific score, no doubt inspired by a week of sleepless nights for the Canterbury players after the disappointing loss to Manawatu last weekend.

Canterbury was playing the game at pace, intent on running the home side off the paddock. It was also clear that the red and blacks were playing with greater intensity and accuracy.

After four minutes Otago lock Ross Kennedy was adjudged offside at a ruck. The resulting Slade penalty gave Canterbury a 10-0 lead.

The game now settled down somewhat as both sides began to find their collective feet. While the Canterbury scrum was strong, the Otago defence was equally impressive.

Otago had their first shot at goal after 12 minutes when Kieran Read was adjudged off-side. The home first five-eight Chris Noakes struck the penalty nicely to give Otago their first points of the match.

The Canterbury line-out was working well with the returning Michael Paterson and Isaac Ross impressive at not only securing their own ball, but contesting Otago’s throw-in.

After 23 minutes Otago’s Kennedy was penalised again, this time for being offside at a ruck. Slade once again made no mistake to extend Canterbury’s lead to 13-3. 

Canterbury was much better at the break-down this week, retaining the ball and regularly having numbers present. As a result, they were able to build phases and momentum. 

Despite that and the fact that they appeared ready to break out, Canterbury was not able to convert their advantage in to any significant numerical benefit in the first half.

Canterbury’s 13-3 lead at the break was no reflection of their dominance. They had threatened on a number of occasions in the first 40, although they were regularly beaten back.

The aim for Canterbury in the second half would have been to further improve their accuracy. The first half had been an improvement on last week, but more was required.

Canterbury started the second half strongly: a long passing movement eventually breaching the Otago defence and Paul Williams dotting down in the corner.

Canterbury’s ball control and continuity was most impressive, the ball travelling through numerous pairs of hands to eventually find Williams on the flank.

Colin Slade’s conversion gave Canterbury a deserving and commanding 20-3 lead over their southern rivals.

However, Otago bounced back after eight minutes when half-back Toby Morland followed up a strong break and kick through by second-five Aaron Bancroft. Noakes’s conversion narrowed the gap to 20-10.

The middle of the second half was characterised by inaccurate play by both sides. When Canterbury looked to turn their possession advantage in to points they were prevented by Otago’s constant pressure.

The home side had an opportunity to narrow the gap after 26 minutes when Wyatt Crockett was penalised for obstruction. Daniel Bowden failed with the attempt.

With four minutes remaining Daniel Bowden kicked a penalty to put Otago in bonus point territory, the score now 20-13 to Canterbury with a draw still a possibility

Otago attacked in the last two minutes and came close to narrowing the gap further although to no avail, the final whistle sounding with the score unchanged.

For Canterbury there were a number of outstanding individual performers. Lock Michael Paterson had a terrific match, both in the lineout and in open play.

Colin Slade and Scott Hamilton had strong matches in the backline, both showing at various times a great deal of class and precision.

While for Canterbury this was not the perfect dress rehearsal ahead of their home match against Auckland next weekend, it was still a vast improvement on last weekend's performance.

Canterbury captain Kieran Read said after the match that this was a must-win game for the red and blacks. He said that it was pleasing that they managed to win despite not playing as well as they could have.

Canterbury 20: Tries: Tyson Keats, Paul Williams. Conversions: Colin Slade (2). Penalties: Colin Slade (2).

Otago 13: Try: Toby Morland. Conversion: Chris Noakes. Penalties: Chris Noakes, Daniel Bowden.