NEW Cross RFC 1st XV went down 20-17 to visiting North Tawton in a see-saw game in Devon Two North East.

Tawton were variously 10-0 and 17-7 behind but levelled it at 17-all late in the second half and won it with a Liam Pyle penalty four minutes from time.

Ryan Wotton, the senior player at New Cross, said it was a ‘tough defeat to take’, although there were compensations.

“Although we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it was a good game and credit to a resilient Tawton side,” said Wotton.

“It was a tough defeat to take, but positive in that we created a lot of scoring opportunities.”

New Cross dominated the first half and went 10-0 up with tries from winger Josh Screech and hooker Cam Rideout.

“We butchered at least three certain scores as well before an interception against the run of play got them up to 10-7 at half-time,” mused Wotton.

New Cross wing Alex Doyle dotted down under the posts, and Ash Ansermoz made it 17-7 with the kick, before the tide turned Tawts’ way.

“The big turning point came with around 15 minutes to go with their full back (Luke Austin) taking another interception and stopping a try under the posts in the same motion,” said Wotton.

“Fair play to North Tawton. They kept on coming and got a converted try and two late penalties to take the win.”

New Cross have no game now until Easter Saturday and the final of the Devon Junior Bowl against either Totnes or holders OPM.

This result leaves New Cross in fifth and North Tawton in sixth with the victors 15 points behind but they still have two games in hand to cash-in. Elsewhere in their division, there were wins for Tiverton IIs, Cullompton IIs and Sidmouth IIs plus a home walkover for Okehampton IIs.