NEW Cross survived a second-half fightback from Cullompton to register a 26-17 Devon Two North & East win in their first home game of the season.

Cullompton came flying out of the blocks and only good defence kept their big runners at bay.

A Shaun Bayliss try, arguably against the run of play, was converted by Ryan Wotton, to put New Cross ahead.

Cullompton responded with a try on the run, but when prop Cam Rideout bludgeoned over the home side carried a 14-5 lead into the break.

New Cross thought they were going to pull away when Rob Pedrick scored his customary try, but Cully had other ideas.

Cullompton crossed twice to reduce the deficit to 19-17 with five minutes to play.

A mistake by the away team allowed New Cross’s Lewis Short to mop-up a loose ball and dive over. The extras added by Wotton finally secured the win.

Jerry Wotton, the New Cross coach, described it as a ‘proper test’ against ‘spirited’ opposition.

“Massive credit to Cullompton for staying in the game and providing a really tough test that threatened to ruin our first home game of the season,” said Wotton.

Man-of-the-match went to newly converted second row Henry Carver.

This Saturday New Cross are at home again, this time to league newcomers Ilfracombe. Coach Wotton is anticipating another stern test.

“Ilfracombe have had two good results so far, including beating Cully by 30 points,” said Wotton. “It will be another very tough game in what looks set to be a tight division.”

Meanwhile, Teignmouth’s trying times in South West Two continued with a hefty 57-7 beating away to Nailsea & Backwell.

The divisional newcomers had four tries on the board before the interval and ran away with the game in the second half. Centre Jame Wood scored a 19-minute hat-trick for N&B.

Jordan Hellier's try, converted by Luke Atkinson, prevented the Teigns from a whitewashing.

Teignmouth are away to Ivybridge this Saturday.