NEW Cross RFC gave Old Plymothians a run for their money before dipping to a 24-19 defeat in the Devon Junior Bowl final.

The Old Boys went into the game on the back of a five-match losing run that had dragged them into the Devon One relegation frame.

New Cross, fifth out of ten in the division below, were competitive throughout, but were never ahead after going 7-0 down in the first five minutes.

There was a period of parity at 7-all in the first half, but by the break OPM led 12-7 and they built on their lead in the second half.

New Cross did have the satisfaction of outscoring the Old Boys three tries to two, but penalties proved the deciding factor.

Matt Smale, the Old Boys’ Devon under-20 player, landed four pots at the posts – one a monster effort from 50-plus metres.

Jerry Wotton, the New Cross coach, said: “Smale’s penalties – all of them difficult – made the difference.”

Wotton said the pace of the game was a step-up for New Cross, which they had to adjust to in a hurry.

Wotton added: “Overall OPMs deserved to win, but I was really proud of our effort. On another day we could have got a different result.

“To outscore OPM in tries was a real positive and the boys never gave up.”

Ash Ansermoz scored a first-half try for New Cross that Lewis Short converted.

Tom Havill kept New Cross in the picture with a second try that Short also improved.

A third try from Brian Williamson arrived too late to have an impact on the outcome.

Wotton picked out Rob Pedrick, Ansermoz and Josh Screech for post-match mentions. “All had excellent games,” he said.

“We also saw the long-awaited return of Louie Griffiths after a horror leg break 12 months ago. All in all, good news.”

New Cross have a Friday night date away to Tiverton in their penultimate league game of the season.