NEW Cross were defeated 20-17 by Tiverton 2nd XV in their first Devon Two outing for more than a month.

A combination of the opposition crying off and the international weekend breaks in league fixtures meant New Cross last played on October 12, when they won 21-19 at Okehampton.

Louie Griffiths scored two tries and there was a third for Red Milford against Tiverton. Ash Ansermoz booted a conversion.

Tim Marshall, the New Cross team manager, was not too despondent in the aftermath of the match.

“It was a good, back-and-forth game with momentum swinging throughout,” said Marshall. “And a good bonus point earned on the road.”

New Cross are at home to Sidmouth Quins this Saturday in one of a handful of games on the league schedule.

Meanwhile, the revived New Cross 2nd XV had a match-day squad of 18 for their 43-32 home defeat by Exeter Engineers 3rd XV.