Wotton.................................29 Cainscross.......................... 17 DECIMATED by unavailability a determined Cainscross travelled to Wotton looking to get their league campaign up and running.

Cross started the brightly with driving play taking them deep into Wotton territory.

Wotton’s barnstorming No. 8 made in roads into the Cross defence, often taking more than one defender to make the tackle. Wotton had three chances to cross the line, but resolute defence and inexplicable decision making put paid to this.

The ball spun wide was eventually Cross’s undoing Wotton scoring out wide.

For once Cross came alive before the half time whistle, Maller pushed his pack deep into Wotton territory with a deft kick behind the defence.

From the resultant line out the ball was played into centre field, intricate passing using the plays seen at training led to Young bullocking his way over the line to bring Cross back into it at the break.

Cross put themselves in the driving seat as Young went over for his second conversion hit.

With tiring bodies, Cross would have taken the opportunity to empty the bench for fresh legs, but lacked the depth they had seen for the previous three matches.

Although the standard individual bravery was evident as the fearless Gilks, Stalwart Pearce kept going despite injury.

This would prove to be their downfall as Wotton turned it up a notch and Cross contrived to fall asleep for 10 minutes, three quick tries and a penalty later Cross found themselves in familiar territory, backs against the wall looking to prove a point.

A point they went on to prove, backs and forwards combining, producing quick ball spun left and the effervescent Young scooting around the defence for his hat-trick.