THERE'S little love lost between Kinross Wolaroi School and St Stanislaus College on the rugby field, and in front of raucous crowd at KWS Main Oval on Saturday the two schools' first XV sides put on a memorable show.
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But, even with Stannies skipper James Donato leading his side to an easy victory, the clash won't be remembered solely for the 43-7 result.
Hostile is one of the adjectives appropriate for the clash, highlighted by the single red card and four yellow cards handed out during the match-up.
Kinross was behind the eight-ball from the word go when hooker and vice-captain Charlie Cooper was controversially sent off for striking in just the second minute, while the visitors received four yellow cards throughout the game - three of which came in the second half.
At times the two sides produced some breathtaking rugby as well, particularly the visitors, who ran in six five-pointers to Kinross' one.
"I was thinking if we stuck to our structure we'd have it," Donato said.
"We've been a good side all year, we've had two close losses with the top two sides but I think we've just been a pace off.
"The boys dug deep and got the win."
VIDEO: What the captains had to say after full time:
Stannies' skipper was far and away the best player on the field, proving exactly why many suggest he was unlucky not to be selected in this year's Australian Schoolboys squad.
Just like any good flanker strives to be Donato was a complete and utter pest, carrying more than any other forward on the paddock and providing his side with a peerless presence at the breakdown.
After Cooper was red-carded Stannies didn't take long to exploit their one-man advantage with halfback Josh Hardie going over in the sixth minute, and No.8 Darcy Christie-Johnson crossing not long after.
Inside centre Dan Donato only slotted one conversion attempt, and the scoreline remained 12-nil until the late stages of the opening half.
With Christie-Johnson sent to the bin five minutes out from half-time, Stannies didn't take their foot off the gas, running in another converted try in through Hunter Ward.
Combined with a Dan Donato penalty goal, Stannies went into the break leading 22-nil.
The Bathurst side scored three more converted tries in the second half through Hardie, fullback Brad Glasson and hooker Sam Thomas despite being down to 14 men at one stage, and 13 for the last 10 minutes of the game, before Kinross flanker Joe Yeomans grabbed a consolation try just before full-time.
VIDEO: The St Stanislaus players and students celebrate their win:
James Donato said his side had come into Saturday's game with the plan of dominating Kinross' smaller forwards in a bid to gain ascendancy, he then added his pack had done just that.
"That's what Stannies [rugby] is renowned for, we like to bully opponents," Donato smiled.
Kinross skipper and Australian Schoolboy prop Cody Walker conceded his side couldn't do much about the result, lauding Stannies' performance.
"It always is (tough to lose to Stannies at home)," he said.
"At the start we lost a man pretty early in the game which really damaged us, (but) with 14 men it's a credit to the boys.
We stuck at it and tried, didn't give up but unfortunately Stannies came away with the win. They were just too good."
ST STANISLAUS COLLEGE 43 (Josh Hardie 2, Darcy Christie-Johnson, Hunter Ward, Brad Glasson, Sam Thomas tries; Dan Donato 5 conversion, penalty goal) def KINROSS WOLAROI SCHOOL 7 (Pat Connors try; Charles Litchfield conversion)
