THREE superb tries in the final 11 minutes secured a rousing victory for Recs over the league leaders Kells in a captivating battle in the NCL Division Two.

Kurt Haggerty’s side have been guilty of slipping off the pace in league following some soft results but here they illustrated their undoubted qualities.

In a match that see-sawed throughout Recs raced into a 12-0 after a blistering start saw Ian Stanley and Ryan Liptrot cross for converted tries.

But the visitors take some stopping when they get into their stride and, after exposing some defensive frailties down the host's middle, two converted tries soon wiped out the deficit.

Not long afterwards the Cumbrians got their noses in front with another score but the red, amber and blacks seized the initiative before the break when Stanley’s majestic offload sent winger Danny Filson galloping to the line to give his side a 18-16 advantage.

That margin was extended shortly after half time when the industrious Mark Briody forced his way over near the goalposts.

However, with Recs frustrated the referee’s whistle was going against them, the momentum swung back the visitors’ way and two more Kells tries left Recs trailing 24-28.

Haggerty’s team hung in there though and after a spell of pressure stand off Greg Smith parted the defence with a sublime dummy to touch down.

Lynch’s conversion with ten minutes remaining set up a thrilling finish for the large crowds that had gathered for one of the highlight’s of the Ruskin Drive Sports Festival.

Kells’ restart was contentiously adjudged to have gone out on the full and further pressure from Recs saw acting half Liam Bostock show a deceptive turn of speed to catch the defence napping under posts.

Kells came again but Recs countered with speed through Stanley and Filson, laying the platform for Smith to apply gloss to the victory and Lynch to convert his seventh of the afternoon.

The win draws Recs within four points of Kells and within one of second placed Elland.