KINROSS Wolaroi School and St Stanislaus College Bathurst never need extra motivation when they clash, but with the two sides on almost level pegging Saturday’s inter-city derby provides the opportunity to build immeasurable momentum leading into the back end of the year.

Kinross have one win and two losses so far, while Stannies boast a 2-2 record through the opening rounds of the 2016 Independent Schools Association (ISA) premier competition and both are coming off stunning upset victories over powerhouse sides last weekend.

Kinross, who came fifth last year, trumped St Augustine’s College 17-10 in a brutal David versus Goliath road trip to Sydney while Stannies, third-finishers last winter, triumphed over 2015 title-winners Oakhill College at Bathurst.

With bragging rights and the John O’Neill Shield - the annual trophy the two sides compete for - on the line, Kinross master in charge of rugby and first XV coach Huon Barrett said his side is fully aware how big an impact a win this weekend could have on their campaign.

“I think it could (help set us up for the back half of the season),” he said.

“We’re scrambling for points a little bit at the moment and it’s always a big game playing Stannies, particularly at home.

“They hold the John O’Neill Shield as well from last year which they won quite convincingly.

“We have a bit of confidence now after that win over ‘Augies, but Stannies are coming off a good win over Oakhill too, they put 30-odd points on in that game too so we’ll really need to work hard defensively to stop them.

“Obviously we need to be able to score points too though. We’re looking forward to it.”

Kinross will be relying on big performances from the likes of skipper Joe Yeomans, centre Charlie Mortimer and No.8 Jack Lamph - all among their best so far this year - while Stannies will look to 2015 ISA first XV centre Jack Veitch along with Orange’s Hunter Ward and Yool Yool as potential match-winners.

“There was a lot of [rumours] Jack Veitch [missed last week’s win] but we’re assuming he’ll be playing, he’s a very strong footballer but they have a lot of other danger-men too,” Barrett said.

“(We’ll be looking to) guys like Joe Yeomans, Charlie Mortimer, George Jackson, the guys who were in the first XV last year. We’ve got some younger guys too, like Donny Freeman.

“He’s only in year 10 but he’s playing really good football at the moment.”

The two sides lock horns at KWS Main Oval from 3.15pm.

KINROSS: 1 Peter Alston, 2 Ross Alston, 3 Tom Cummins, 4 Drew Weber, 5 Josh Jones, 6 Joe Yeomans, 7 Donny Freeman, 8 Jack Lamph, 9 Max Manson, 10 Nedd Brockmann, 11 Louis Carr, 12 Charlie Mortimer, 13 George Jackson, 14 Nathanael Vazouras, 15 Craig Simpson