Late scores see Celtic suffer Conference loss

Kippax Knights 38

TWO tries and 12 points in the last six minutes sent Celtic to another defeat in the Conference National in a cracking game in Crow Nest Park.

Celtic looked to have the game in hand when they led 35-26 but Kippax collected two tries to go second in the table while Celtic slipped to sixth.

Celtic, playing downhill in the first half, took only two minutes to score as Danny Thomas broke on halfway line and sent Danny Crabtree over. Niki Crabtree converted.

Thomas had a try disallowed for offside before Kippax scored after Andy Matthews’ 30-metre break. Andy Speak levelled matters.

Soon after Speak added a try and conversion but Celtic’s man-of-the-match Alex Walmsley managed to sneak the ball out of the tackle for Danny Crabtree to score in the corner. Niki Crabtree converted to level at 12-12.

Thomas and Adam Egan sent Thomas Harrington in only to lose the ball as he went over before in the 25th minute Thomas switched direction and sent Niki Crabtree between the posts for a try he also converted.

Celtic continued to play well and Thomas landed a drop-goal but Kippax responded with a try from Matthews as Celtic led 19-16.

The hosts extended their lead in the second half with Danny Crabtree scoring an unconverted try. From the restart Celtic Alex Walmsley charged 20 metres to score at the side of the posts. Niki Crabtree added the goal.

The Kippax hard work paid off when Adam Whittington scored in the corner, converted by Speak, and they struck again with Stuart Biscomb crossing in the corner to cut Celtic’s lead to 29-26.

Three minutes later Celtic extended their lead when Thomas dummied and sprinted 40 metres to score in the corner.Niki Crabtree converted from touch and it seemed the home side had done enough.

But Kippax stepped up a gear with a try six minutes from time as Steve Scott crashed over, converted by Speak, and three minutes later Ian Booth went over in the corner to snatch victory and Speak added another goal.