BARNSLEY RUFC began their season with a 29-19 win at home to Rotherham Phoenix in Yorkshire Division Three.
After losing every game in the 2022/23 season which saw them relegated from Yorkshire Division Two, Barnsley lost the first seven matches in 2023/24 and 11 of their first 12 last season.
They narrowly stayed up in both the last two campaigns but are hoping for a much higher finish this time.
Coach Tom Kittrick said: “We spoke in the build-up to the game about how we’ve given ourselves a lot to do after Christmas in the last two seasons.
“We have a points target before Christmas then we want to keep that strength in the second half of the year which we generally always have.
“It was a really good start.
“We dropped one over the line and knocked on twice when we should have scored.
“But overall we played well and it’s pleasing to see some of the work from pre-season on structure and shape is paying off.”
Barnsley were ahead twice in the first half through tries but trailed 19-12 before scoring 17 unanswered points. Tom Hardwick scored two tries with Sam Moss and Adam Marsden also touching down.
Dan Eaden kicked three conversions and a penalty.
Barnsley are now due to visit West Park Leeds on Saturday in a double-header with their women’s team who start their Championship One North campaign against the same opponents.
Meanwhile, Dearne Valley lost 31-17 at Thornesians. They now visit Skipton on Saturday.
Wath won 47-0 at home to Old Rishworthian in Yorkshire Division One. Ryan Burrows, the new player/coach and former Premiership player, scored a hat-trick of tries with Sean Hopper, Arran Tasker, Anthony Davies and Dave Laycock also crossing over.
Jack Whitlam kicked six of seven conversions. Wath are due to visit Wensleydale on Saturday.
Wortley won 38-22 at home to Sheffield Medical in Yorkshire Division Four. The tries came from George Peacock, twice, Steve King, Findlay MacBean, Jack Ambrose and Brad Healey. Luke Jagger kicked four conversions. Their next game is at home to Stockbridge on Saturday.
