BARNSLEY RUFC continued to cement themselves in mid-table with a 10-8 win at Thornesians and are pleased to be going into the New Year without a major threat of relegation.
The Shaw Laners went down into Yorkshire Division Three in 2023 and just stayed up for the last two years.
By the halfway point of the last three campaigns, they had either won one or no games.
Now they are sixth, with five wins and five losses.
They are 12 points above the bottom two and 17 off the top two.
Coach Tom Kittrick said: “We’re normally pretty good after Christmas because we’re fighting.
“This season has a different feel because we’re in mid-table.
“It’s nice not to have to fight and scrap for everything.
“Our aim is to really secure mid-table,
“We have three home games on the bounce now – with the next two against teams below us in the table.
“We have to make that count because we have some really tough games against the top four after that.
“We’re looking at minimum ten points from the next three which will put us in a good place.
“After that we will have a good idea of where we’re probably going to be finishing. Our aim was to be competitive and we’ve done that but we won’t take our foot off the gas.”
The hosts took the lead with a penalty then Tom Heneghan barged over and Zimbabwean teenager Kuziva Manzani scored an 80-yard interception try to make it 10-3.
Thornesians scored a try but missed the conversion and Barnsley held on.
Kittrick said: “It was scrappy. It was one of those days in attack when we tried to force it too much and our skill execution wasn’t the best.
“But we ground out the win and it’s a nice way to start 2026.
“Kuziva has been playing well all season and just hasn’t had an opportunity like that.
“But he took it really well and is one our young players who is developing.”
Barnsley are now due to host Skipton on Saturday.
“They are the first team we have chance of doing the double over.
“We got a tight and scrappy win at their place and we’re expecting another tough game.
“They are fighting for survival.
“They put a good showing in on Saturday against the leaders. We just have to stick to our gameplan and hopefully get another four points at least.”
Bottom club Dearne Valley lost 34-27 at Hemsworth.
The try-scorers were Luke Robinson, twice, Conlan Mawson and Stevie Shaw with Andy Thorpe converting twice.
Shaw also kicked a penalty.
Dearne have lost five in a row and are six points adrift in the bottom two.
They are due to host second-placed Leeds Corinthians on Saturday.
Wath won 40-20 at West Leeds in Yorkshire Division One.
The try-scorers were Ryan Burrows, twice, Ben Cairns, Luke Stead, Anthony Davies and Patrick Selkirk with Jack Whitlam kicking five conversions.
Second-placed Wath are three points off leaders Dinnington and five clear of third-placed Yarnbury who have played two extra games.
They have won their last five games and will now host second-bottom Beverley.
Wortley lost 34-10 at home to Hallamshire in Yorkshire Division Four.
They are second-bottom and due to visit Sheffield Medicals on Saturday.
Barnsley Ladies lost 3-0 at home to Lichfield in Championship North One.
They have lost eight out of ten but are still seven points clear of the bottom two in eighth. They are due to visit seventh-placed Kenilworth on Saturday.
