MUCH-changed New Cross still had enough in the tank to defeat Exeter Athletic 33-26 at Five Lanes.

Unavailability meant there were new pairings in the centre and a totally different back row from the one that faced Cullompton last time out.

Veteran Tim Prowse put New Cross ahead with an early try. Luke Williams added another after good hands from Red Milford. Ryan Wotton kicked both conversions.

New Cross could have been over the horizon by half time had they been more accurate in the red zone.

“Four certain tries were butchered, which allowed the Athletic to clear their lines,” said New Cross coach Jerry Wotton.

The Athletic pulled a try back to trail 14-7 at the break.

A half-time rocket from front-row coach Jamie Halse seemed to inspire New Cross, who flew out of the traps with tries from Josh Screech and new centre Alex Doyle, one of which was converted.

Athletic got a try back against the run of play before Williams scored his second. Wotton converted. Two late tries earned the Athletic two bonus points.

Man of the match went to Harry Lock, which earned the approval of the coach.

“Harry had a fantastically destructive game in the loose, coupled with powerful scrummaging to give the away side a torrid afternoon,” said coach Wotton.

New Cross are away to Exeter Engineers this Saturday in what will be a clash of contrasting styles.

“It will be a beauty-and-the beast affair with our power game up against the speed and agility of the students,” said Wotton.