The girls set the tone with a 24-16 win first-up, a result that hooker Emily Bennett thinks will springboard her side in the right direction for the remaining three games.

"It was a good feeling and it's definitely lifted everyone's spirits," Bennett said.

"We're a new side with lots of new players and it's picked everyone's heads up."

It wasn't an easy start to the season for Barbarians as they had to face the ladder-leading Mungals to kick things off but now, their confidence is starting to build.

"I think for some of the girls it was a bit daunting to have to come up against some really good sides," she said.

"Especially Cargo who's the two-time Woodbridge Cup champions"

Men's skipper Lionel Vanderwal had similar feelings in the wake of his team's drought-breaking 34-2 win over Lithgow and knows there's still time for Jake Kelly and the rest of the squad to make some inroads before the finals get underway.

"It's good to bounce back," Vanderwal said.

"Making the finals is definitely the goal for us now."

Adam Stanford's first game in Barbs colours was a big one as the back rower was handed man of the match honours after a huge day in the middle.

Barbarians will have the chance to take a crucial step towards a finals berth in round five as both squads will host the Kandos Waratahs.

"That's a must win game for us at Wade Park," Vanderwal said.

"We want to challenge ourselves in the finals against top-tier sides."