NEW Cross warmed up for the derby clash with Newton Abbot by beating depleted Cullompton 67-7.

Cully were short of numbers on arrival at Five Lanes for the Devon Two clash and were down to 14 men early in the second half due to injuries.

Cullompton’s get-the-game-on attitude earned a pat on the back from New Cross player-coach Ryan Wotton.

“Credit to Cully for travelling when short and playing in the right spirit,” said Wotton. “Other teams have called off for less this season.”

New Cross, who bulked-up the scrum by replacing the injured Harry Symes with Nick Halse, were only 22-0 up at half time.

“Cully defended well for the large part, but we managed to get outside them several times leading to scores from Oli Robinson, Luke Short, Luke Smith and Louie Griffiths,” said Wotton, who added one conversion.

New Cross made the extra man pay in the second half with tries from Halse (2), Josh Davey, Angus Beukes and Shaun Bayliss putting New Cross out of sight. Clinton Mill, one of the original New Cross founders, came on as a second half replacement and scored a try.

“Even more amazingly Clinton actually made a legitimate try saving tackle – something never seen at Five Lanes before!” claimed an astounded Wotton.

Rob Pedrick capped an “outstanding” performance by making the running for Davey’s second try to wrap-up the scoring. New Cross edged the first encounter with Newton Abbot 20-17 before Christmas. Wotton anticipates a decent crowd and a competitive game second time around.