New Cross will be disappointed with this result as they dominated the first half but went in at the interval 5-3 down to a strong Devonport side.

Had New Cross not had two Aiden Messer tries disallowed by whistleman and New Cross treasurer Steve Clark, who had to officiate due to referee shortage, they would have gone in at the break with a comfortable lead.

After early New Cross pressure fly half Messer had a chance to put three points on the board with a penalty just to the left of the sticks, but put his effort went wide.

New Cross continued to press into the Devonport half but were guilty of individuals trying to do too much on their own. They were then rewarded a penalty in the middle of the park just in front of the ten-metre line, for which full back Clinton Mill stepped up and his effort sailed through the sticks for a three-point lead.

Then came the two disallowed Messer tries.

Mill then had another chance with a penalty from the touchline but his effort sailed just to the left of the posts.

On the stroke of half time the visitors had an attack up the park which led to a two-man overlap and a score in the corner.

Early in the second half the visitors knocked over a penalty in front of the posts, before stretching their lead with a well-worked try after constant pressure which stretched the New Cross defence to the limit.

Almost straight from the kick off New Cross went up the other end and scored, scum half Louie Griffiths making a break before committing his man to pop inside to the supporting Messer ,who made it third time lucky.

With two minutes to go New Cross stepped up a gear looking for the winning score but could not find a way through the impressive Devonport defence.

The Aaron Printers' man of the match award went to fly half Aiden Messer, who has now collected it twice this season.

Tomorrow, New Cross entertain Devonport Services' neighbours Devonport High School Old Boys in a Devon Two league game, kick-off at Five Lanes at 2.30pm.