A try by Canterbury halfback Tyson Keats after just 50sec gave his side a ridiculously early lead which it never surrendered, eventually winning 20-13 over Otago in a match which had plenty of effort but lacked accuracy.
The visiting side led 13-3 at half-time and deserved its win, for it was more composed and powerful at the set-piece, had the greater share of possession and created more chances.
Otago never got going in the first half, it struggled at the set-piece, and though it looked better in the second stanza, it was always chasing the game, and did well to at least pick up a bonus point.
That may be crucial at the business end of the season.
There was the faint hope of securing a draw at the end, with a break by lock Tom Donnelly leading to the Canterbury line being under pressure, but the red and black defensive line could not be breached.
Otago lost the match at the set-piece and could not secure enough line-out ball, especially in the first half, to mount a sustained attack.
Canterbury, with plenty of height in its pack, attacked the Otago line-out in the first half and took four against the throw.
Critically, a couple of them, when Otago was on attack, dashed any chance of the home side mounting pressure.
Canterbury did not mind kicking the ball out, as it knew it had a chance of getting it back.
Canterbury also had the measure of its opponent in the scrum, with Wyatt Crockett putting pressure on his opposite, Jed Vercoe, who eventually left the field at the break because of a strained back.
Otago would be pleased with its defence, and it scrambled well.
The game, as with so many these days, became about territory and teams kicking out of their own half.
Canterbury had the lion's share of territory and, as it has been over the years, was extremely quick at kicking for territory.
The highlight for the home team came eight minutes into the second half, when second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft broke Canterbury first five-eighth Colin Slade's tackle then cleverly chipped infield for halfback Toby Morland to kick the ball ahead and score by the posts.
Otago desperately needed that score, as it was behind 3-20 at that time.
Chris Noakes kicked the conversion.
Daniel Bowden kicked a penalty with five minutes to go but the miracle did not happen.
Paul Williams scored the other try for Canterbury two minutes into the second half.
Canterbury moved the ball from side to side and the home side, for once, ran out of defence and the Highlanders draft player went over for an easy five-pointer.
Canterbury No 8 Mose Tuiali'i was involved in this move and he had a big impact on the match, always making the advantage line.
Crockett got around the field, and captain Kieran Read, who set up Keats' try with Tuiali'i, was strong in everything he did.
Slade looked good, while winger James Paterson was elusive.
For the home side, Bancroft and Noakes did little wrong, while in the pack, Craig Newby got through plenty of defensive work, and substitute prop Ben Nolan had a solid effort when he played the second 40min.
Canterbury 20 (Tyson Keats, Paul Williams tries; Colin Slade 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals), Otago 13 (Toby Morland try; Chris Noakes conversion, penalty goal, Daniel Bowden penalty goal).
Half-time: 13-3 Canterbury.
Crowd: About 5000.
