Late roar lifts Tigers
Leicester won a magnificent Guinness Premiership final 33-27 at Twickenham to retain their title.
Last Updated: 29/05/10 10:46pm
Leicester won a magnificent Guinness Premiership final 33-27 at Twickenham to retain their title.
Dan Hipkiss' try with less that two minutes to play settled a thrilling contest that had ebbed and flowed throughout.
The Tigers had appeared in the last five Premiership finals but can be vulnerable in the showpiece occasions - they had won just one of their last five in all competitions.
Saracens had not won a major trophy for 12 years and looked to have ended that wait when Glen Jackson kicked his fifth penalty just seconds from the end.
But back roared the Tigers, becoming just the third side to top the regular season table and go on to win the title.
Saracens made almost the perfect start when Leicester knocked on from the kick-off and were quickly caught offside, Jackson knocking over a straightforward penalty.
But within a minute Leicester were level after Saracens were penalised for not rolling away and Toby Flood made no mistake.
Sarries were proving ambitious in attack and after a couple of drilled kicks from Jackson pinned Leicester inside their own 22, they took advantage of another offside and Jackson was good for the three points.
Leicester upped their tempo after 10 minutes and after a fine pass from Martin Castrogiovanni, only Hugh Vyvyan's tackle on Tom Croft prevented a try in the corner.
But there was no denying the Tigers moments later after the Sarries defence were caught narrow and quick hands in midfield sent Matt Smith streaking over in the corner and under the posts, Flood adding the extras for a 10-6 lead.
But Saracens are not short of self-belief and quickly hit back, as Leicester's midfield defence was caught short of numbers and after Jackon's neat runaround, Ernst Joubert finished well in the corner.
Leicester quickly regained the lead through Flood's boot after Saracens again failed to roll away and despite plenty more lively attacking from the men in black, it was the Tigers who had the last word in the half.
Shredded
An attacking drive up the middle barely deviated five yards as Leicester moved the ball 30 metres and shredded the Saracens defence, before Ben Young's clever sidestep took him over beneath the sticks.
Trailing 20-14 on the resumption, Saracens needed to score first in the second half.
But their set-piece was quickly under pressure and when the scrum was wheeled by a Leicester pack scenting blood, Flood took the opportunity to add another three points.
Just two minutes later Saracens again proved their strength of character with another marvellous try, Adam Powell and Andy Saull combining brilliantly to give Joubert his second score of the game.
After Jackson added the extras the deficit was down to just two points and it was now that Leicester decided to go back to the tactics that have served them so well over the years.
Their forwards began to take an ever-firmer grip on the game, particularly at the set-piece and they were quickly awarded another penalty when Sarries collapsed a scrum, Flood making the score 26-21 heading into the final quarter.
Five minuters later the Saracens scrum again collapsed, but Flood this time missed with the penalty chance to take Leicester more than two scores clear.
Next it was Jackson's turn to miss a long-range kick at goal after a Leicester offside.
Another chance went begging - this time on the ground - after Geordan Murphy knocked on a high bomb, but Schalk Brits failed to gather the loose ball off his boot-straps with the line just two yards away.
Front foot
Saracens were on the front foot with 10 minutes to go and after Leicester were again caught offside, Jackson made no mistake from 40 metres.
With four minutes to play, Leicester's Louis Deacon came in at the side in front of their own posts and Saracens thought they had the game won.
Buit there was still another twist in this incredible contest, as Scott Hamilton seized the re-start and Dan Hipkiss took a high shot and wriggled out of a tackle to go in under the posts.
Leicester made no mistake from the final re-start and the trophy was heading back to Welford Road once again.
