The Bathurst school knocked off long-time ISA rivals Kinros Wolaroi School 46-7 on Saturday at home, winger Nick Rankin and props Joel Thomas and Bo Abra starring in the win alongside returning gun, Hunter Ward. 

Ward returned from injury for the central west derby and coach Bruno Rossitt said the team benefited greatly when the Orange product took his place at lock in the First XV, helping keep the side’s unbeaten record in tact. 

“When he came on for us, he made a big difference,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of representative caliber guys in that senior age bracket and Hunter is certainly one of those. We’d be looking at getting a few players in NSW teams, I think.”

Stannies is undefeated as the competition rounds its opening half, with the school’s only remaining game of the first round this weekend against St Patrick’s at Strathfield.

Stannies is expected to win that game and will turn its attention to a home game against St Augustine’s on June 17.

Rossitt said his side’s clash with Augies was Stannies’ toughest of 2017 and expected their next clash to be like “our grand final”.

“It’d be pretty special occasion given it’s our 150^th year here at the school. To come away with an ISA premiership would be big,” Rossitt said.

Stannies controlled much of the game against the Orange- based KWS outfit, controlling field position and possession for the duration of the 80 minutes.

Rossitt gave props to KWS’ defence, particularly around the ruck.

“They were very strong defensively, and their spoiling tactics certainly made it tougher for us than the scoreline suggests,” he said.

“But a scoreline in rugby is never really a true reflection of the game.”