New Cross underline promotion credentials by grabbing second

NEW Cross are starting to think seriously about making the Devon & Cornwall promotion play-offs following a 20-7 win over South Molton put them second in the Devon One table.

The Kingsteignton side have been steadily climbing the table in recent weeks, beating play-off rivals Totnes, Plymstock and now South Molton to get where they are now.

Even runaway leaders University of Exeter had to grind out a 10-5 win over New Cross when the two sides met in February.

Nothing is done and dusted yet – and Plymstock are the big threat to New Cross as they have two games in hand with which to wipe out the five-point difference between them.

You can't beat points in the bag though at this stage of the season, so New Cross skipper Rory Blackmore is happy with his side's position.

"We have beaten all the sides around us, so no one can say we don't deserve to be where we are," said Blackmore.

"There is nothing we can do about Plymstock's two games in hand. All we can do is beat Topsham and Torrington and see where that leaves us."

Blackmore said the win over South Molton showed New Cross were play-off material in the making.

"I would say it was one our best performances this season," said Blackmore.

"We could have scored another 20 points had it not been for the last pass letting us down a bit too often.

"Other than a two-minute spell before half time when South Molton scored their try, we dominated.

"For the rest of the game they barely had possession of the ball for more than 10 seconds at a time."

Tim Prowse was the man of the moment for New Cross with two first-half tries. Luke Williams bagged a third. Ryan Wotton converted one try and a penalty.