SKIPTON registered a six try bonus point victory in the early autumn sunshine in front of a packed stand at Sandylands on Saturday to claim their first victory of the season.

Early pressure gave Skipton a penalty in front of the posts which full-back Jamie Barker slotted to open the scoring, but Barnsley replied with a penalty of their own a few minutes later.

Skipton maintained the pressure and from a line-out close in, back-row Jordan Wilson cut back inside to touch down for Skipton's opening try. Barker added the extras. A

superb chip through by Skipper Anthony Chapman saw three Skipton players follow up and Barker touched down for the home side's second try. The conversion attempt was wide.

Barnsley looked dangerous all afternoon and, despite a great chase by Michael Tam on the right wing and superb cover defence by Man of the Match Zobair Hussain on the left, the visitors ran in a converted try to put them just five points behind Skipton.

The home side countered immediately with a penalty kick into the corner. The rolling maul saw the ball shipped out to Charlie Brown, this week starting at No.8, who evaded the Barnsley defence to run in try number three. Barker again added the extras.

Skipton rounded off the half with a superb individual try from Hussain at pace, to gain the bonus league point. The ever-reliable boot of Barker added the extras.

Skipton have three new signings in prop Craig Spencer and centres Jake Barnes and Jack Kennedy, and all three played a decisive part in the second-half.

Skipton always knew they had a tough game on with Barnsley and the visitors opened the scoring in the second period with a converted try. Skipton replied with another converted penalty goal by Barker for a Barnsley high tackle and again pinned the visitors into the corner from a further infringement.

A strong rolling maul from the line-out saw Spencer break clear to go over in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide. Barnsley would not give up and countered with a third converted try of their own from two quick tap penalties. A tense 15 minutes followed with intense pressure on Skipton's line by the visitors, resulting in a fourth converted try to bring the score to 37-31 in Skipton's favour.

Excellent lines by Barnes in the centre put players into space, with only try saving tackles keeping Skipton out on two occasions. Kennedy joined the Skipton back line and broke the gain line time after time, to put Barnsley on the back foot.

Eventually, a well worked move by stand-off Callum Patrick put Joe Moorhouse over for Skipton's sixth try, to the rapture of the home crowd. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

However, the game was won at 42-31 to Skipton in a huge relief to the North Yorkshire outfit after a frustrating start to the campaign.