NEW Cross extended their winning run in Devon Two North East by beating Sidmouth 21-15 at Five Lanes.

Dropping a bonus point cost unbeaten New Cross the outright leadership as Okehampton 2nd XV are now level with them at the top.

New Cross went ahead when Shaun Bayliss cruised through on 17 minutes. Lewis Short converted.

While Sidmouth were a man short due to a sin-binning, Cross went further ahead with a try at the back of a scrum for Rob Pedrick. Short added the extras again.

Sidmouth pulled a try back at the end of the first half to turn round 14-5 down.

The second half was a tight affair. New Cross found themselves down to 14 men when Ben Pythian was shown a yellow card on 50 minutes. Sidmouth took full advantage. A try and conversion brought them back to 14-12, setting up a nervy final quarter.

With ten minutes remaining, New Cross battered the Sidmouth line for multiple phases before Louie Griffiths crossed for a crucial try. Short delivered with the boot to stretch the lead to 21-12.

Sidmouth kept fighting, and added a penalty on 74 minutes, but New Cross held firm to see out a hard-earned victory.