THERE is little love lost between Kinross Wolaroi School and Saint 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.

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 few superlatives appropriate for the clash, which was punctuated by a red card and four yellow cards, along with several stoushes.

Kinross was dealt an early blow when hooker and vice-captain Charlie Cooper was controversially sent off for striking in the second minute.

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.”

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 the 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. 

Number 8 Darcy Christie-Johnson crossed not long after.

Inside centre Dan Donato only slotted one conversion attempt and the scoreline remained 12-0 until the late stages of the opening half.

While Christie-Johnson was sent to the bin five minutes out from half-time, Stannies didn’t take their foot off the gas, running another converted try in through Hunter Ward.

Combined with a Dan Donato penalty goal, Stannies went into the break leading 22-0.

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.

 Kinross flanker Joe Yeomans grabbed a consolation try just before full-time.

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. 

His pack had did 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, we didn’t give up, but unfortunately Stannies came away with the win. They were just too good.”

SAINT STANISLAUS’ COLLEGE 43 (Josh Hardie 2, Darcy Christie-Johnson, Hunter Ward, Brad Glasson, Sam Thomas tries; Dan Donato 5 conversion; Dan Donato penalty goal) defeated KINROSS WOLAROI SCHOOL 7 (Pat Connors try; Charles Litchfield conversion)

VIDEO: The St Stanislaus players and students celebrate their win: