In the heat of intense sporting competition, tempers can, and do, flare. However, the manner in which St James High's supporters behaved when their team gave up a first-leg advantage and lost to St George's College on Saturday goes well beyond the realm of sporting intensity.

It is a case for serious shame.

For those who missed it, on Saturday the second leg of the Olivier Shield, which pits the rural and urban schoolboy football champions against each other, ended with missiles being rained on the Jarrett Park field by St James' supporters. The final whistle was blown at the second interruption; the first caused the game to be held up for some time.

After the reclassification of secondary schools into high schools and new entrants swelled the number of DaCosta and Manning Cup competitors, there remained a distinction between the relatively new (or non-traditional) and older (traditional) high schools. In a country obsessed with class, those distinctions are regrettable, but understandable.

And St James High's supporters played right into the hands of those who would declare non-traditional high schools inferior. After all, losing with dignity is one of the hallmarks of class.

We do not presume that those who threw the missiles are directly affiliated with the school, as we know that often supporters simply attach themselves to a winner. And St James High remains the winner of two top titles, the Ben Francis and DaCosta trophies.

Unfortunately though, the missile throwing on Saturday at Jarrett Park overshadows it all.