New Cross pull away as Techs fade in last quarter

Monday, October 27, 2008, 08:55

 

Old Techs 0pts, New Cross 34

Devon Two

 

TABLE-topping New Cross had to work harder than the scoreline suggests for this win at Weston Mill.

 

They were 10-0 up at the interval – and no further ahead with an hour played.

 

Techs faded though in the last quarter, when New Cross clobbered them with four tries.

 

Clinton Mill missed a penalty chance before prop Nick Halse got the first New Cross touch down.

 

Centre Matt Douglas grabbed a second in the corner close to the break for a 10-0 advantage.

 

The rout started when Chris Grice got his hands to a push-over try. Mill converted.

 

A chip through from scrum-half Louie Griffiths was chased down by wing man Nathan Messer for the touch down.

 

Mill added the extras after centre Nathan Spencer crossed the Techs' line.

Behind a better-drilled pack, some good phased play saw scrum-half Griffiths nip over.

 

Messer brothers earn recalls

Friday, November 14, 2008, 09:36

 

DEVON Two leaders New Cross will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run at the top of the table to six matches when they visit lowly Dartmouth.

 

The Messer brothers – Nathen and Aiden - both return to the starting line up after being rested for last week's 5-0 friendly win over Withycombe Rats.

 

With centres Nathan Spencer (work), Clarke Orchard (shoulder) and Matt Douglas (leg) all unavailable, Rick Bull keeps his place at fly-half with Aiden Messer switching to inside centre. Nathen Messer starts on the wing.

 

Ben Gubby (centre) and Dan Weaver (wing) both keep their places in the starting line up after impressing in the win over Withies.

 

Hopes of playing new boy James Denham foundered as his transfer has not cleared in time. He gets a run out in the 2nd XV, who are at home to Salcombe.

 

Chris Grice, rested for the win over Withies, slots in at No.8, which means Matt Bickham moving up to lock.

 

Dartmouth, fresh from beating Kingsbridge A in a friendly, are waiting on a late report from stand-off Marc Cresswell concerning his fitness. Knee trouble has kept Cresswell out for more than a month.

 

Veteran flanker David Hart – Buster to his team mates – is set to return after injury as well.

 

 

 

 

NEW CROSS 34, PLYMPTON VICTORIA 0

Monday, November 03, 2008, 09:10

 

NEW CROSS continue to dominate the lowest tier of Devon rugby with yet another emphatic victory which saw them past the 200 point mark after only five matches.

 

They followed up their 34-0 win at Old Techs with a six-try demolition of another Plymouth-based side Plympton Victoria.

 

A try from full-back Clinton Mill plus one apiece from forwards Simon Harris and Tim Prowse – back after three weeks out – took the score to 15-0 at half-time.

 

Handling errors made the game untidy, but New Cross still managed three further touchdowns.

 

Fly-half Aiden Messer got the scoreboard moving again before winger Ryan Wotton flew down the wing for his try. Replacement Ben Gubby added the last score and Mill knocked over a couple of conversions for good measure.

 

New Cross Stay at the top.......

 

Dartmouth 3pts, New Cross 16

 

NEW Cross were given a reminder it won't be a cakewalk every week in Devon Two, even when you are unbeaten and at the top of it.

 

Full back Arron Hunt put Dartmouth after five minutes of an evenly contested first half.

 

Dartmouth held on to that lead up to half time, but lost it straight from the restart.

 

Centre James Denham put Ben Gubby in for a try that Clinton Mill converted.

 

New Cross dominated possession with Mill slotting a penalty.

Although Dartmouth stayed in the hunt throughout, Mill added a pair of late kicks.

New Cross out to push Combe down table

Friday, November 28, 2008, 09:38

 

TABLE-topping New Cross can knock Ilfracombe out of the title frame in Devon Two by beating the North Devon side at Strap Lane.

 

The Kingsteignton outfit will be four points clear of Ilfracombe if they win and a step New Cross will also be hoping Devonport HSOB do them a favour by beating second-placed North Tawton, who New Cross play next Saturday.

 

Ben Tuckett gets the nod in at second row in Trevor Cutler's absence The back row is unchanged with Matt Bickham keeping out the returning Chris Grice at No 8.

 

Fly-half Aiden Messer and centres Clarke Orchard and Matt Douglas all return to the starting line up. Winger Ryan Wotton is at Twickenham so Ben Gubby switches from centre to wing with Dan Weaver on the other flank.

 

Half-centuries at New Cross

Wednesday, January 07, 2009, 09:28

 

FIFTY not out! They may only have been going for a season-and-a-half, but New Cross already have three players past the 50-game mark.

 

First to 50 appearances for the new boys from Kingsteignton, currently gunning for promotion in Devon Two, was back row forward Henry Lygo.

Lygo, only 18, reached the landmark in the away game at North Tawton in early December, a bitter-sweet occasion as New Cross lost for the first time this term.

 

Player-coach Stuart Donnelly has since reached the 50 mark and claims around 600 appearances in total for Newton Abbot and Buckfastleigh.

Also past the 50 barrier is New Cross secretary Clinton Mill.