BARNSLEY RUFC won 34-24 at home to Yorkshire Division Three leaders Hemsworth.
It was a second straight victory for the Shaw Laners who are now sixth with 16 points from five games, four points off new leaders Wheatley Hills.
There were two tries for Tom Hardwick and George England – who also kicked three conversions and a penalty – and one for Beck Butters.
Coach Tom Kittrick said: “It was definitely our best performance of the season.
“The lads were up for the derby and we spoke before about making sure our skills and discipline were on point and for 65 minutes they were.
“We got two sin bins for cynical yellow cards in the last 20 minutes and they scored two tries which made it tighter than we wanted.
“We’re not fully there and have a lot to do, but it’s a really good result.”
Barnsley are now due to visit third-placed Leeds Corinthians on November 8.
“Our target is to get 28 points before Christmas, so we want another 12.
“Then we’ll assess the league table and set a new target.
“We’ve got Leeds Corinthians away who are beating everyone comfortably at home.
“We don’t want to get carried away.
“It’s a great start but we have to keep working hard.
“In the last three seasons, the club have been on hardly any points at Christmas. We made a big point about getting a decent start this year.
“The club needed a bit of positivity.”
Dearne Valley got their first win of the season with a 20-17 success at home to Burley. Alex Roebuck scored two tries and Danny Cribbis one with Steve Shaw kicking a penalty and conversion.
They had lost their first four games after promotion and have also been deducted five points.
They are last, eight points off safety, and next play on November 1.
Wath suffered their first defeat of the season as they lost 21-17 at home to Dinnington in a Yorkshire Division One top-of-the-table clash. Both sides were unbeaten but Wath fell off top spot to second, overtaken by their visitors.
Wath were 14-3 down then led 17-14 before a late try won it for Dinnington.
Ryan Burrows and Alex Butterworth scored tries with Jack Whitlam converting both and scoring a penalty.
They are due to visit Yarnbury in the Counties One North Plate.
Wortley won 38-33 at home to Knottingley in Yorkshire Division Four.
Wortley are sixth with two wins from five games.
