Saracens tame Tigers to win first Premiership title (From Harrow Times)

Saracens win first Premiership title after beating Leicester Tigers

5:07pm Saturday 28th May 2011 in Sport By Simon Mail

Saracens have been crowned Premiership champions for the first time after a dramatic 22-18 win over Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.

Mark McCall’s side led for most of the match after James Short’s first-half try and an excellent performance from the boot of 19-year-old Owen Farrell. But the Tigers, who beat Sarries in an epic final last season, had the better of the second half and three penalties from Toby Flood brought them within touching distance.

In an extraordinary climax, Leicester were camped on the Sarries line as they went in search of the match winning try. But after seven minutes of heroic defending from the Men in Black they won the ball back and celebrated winning their first major trophy in 13 years.

It was fitting reward after a brilliant season which has culminated in 13 consecutive victories and the team remain unbeaten in the Premiership under director of rugby McCall.

Sarries had one major decision ahead of the final and scrum half Neil de Kock won the coin toss battle to earn his starting place ahead of Richard Wigglesworth. This was the only change from the team which squeezed past Gloucester in the semi finals.

The Tigers moved Matt Smith to outside centre in place of suspended star Manu Tuilagi. The champions still had no room for players’ player of the year Thomas Waldrom who was left on the bench with Jordan Crane keeping his place.

Saracens were handed a major advantage after five minutes when Leicester scrum half Ben Youngs was sinbinned. De Kock launched an attack as he charged towards the line but Youngs illegally stopped the move. Farrell, on his first appearance at Twickenham, booted over the penalty to give Saracens the lead.

The Men in Black conceded their first penalty three minutes later when Schalk Brits failed to release his opponent and Flood quickly levelled the score.

Leciester had a huge escape from the restart when a terrible pass almost fell into the path of Saracens for an unlikely try. But the champions managed to recover their composure and relieve the danger.

Youngs returned to the action with the Tigers undoubtedly delighted to have held their own despite being one man down.

Saracens were caught offside after 18 minutes and Flood kicked Leicester into the lead for the first time. But the Tigers were penalised for coming in from the side, after the restart, which allowed Farrell to make it 6-6.

The Men in Black wasted a decent attacking position midway through the half when Alex Goode went for a drop goal which never looked like going over.

Saracens regained the lead 11 minutes before the break with a brilliant attack which stunned the Tigers. Goode took a quick lineout and found Brits. The outstanding South African hooker charged down the pitch before offloading for winger Short, who held off the challenge of Scott Hamilton, to finish in the far corner. Farrell arrowed over a superb kick which gave them a 13-6 lead.

Leicester conceded another penalty five minutes before half time for offside and Farrell drilled Sarries into a ten-point lead. But Saracens were penalised in the scrum and Flood kicked a much needed three points for Richard Cockerill’s side.

Sarries ended the half with a deserved 16-9 lead, after dominating possession and territory, but there was still the impression this final was destined to go to the wire.

The Men in Black were awarded a penalty in the scrum at the start of the second half and Farrell maintained his 100 per cent accuracy with another three points.

Leicester had yet to perform anywhere near their best but referee Wayne Barnes ruled in their favour after 49 minutes and Flood’s kick kept them in touch.

Sarries were penalised in the scrum but England fly-half Flood surprisingly miscued his penalty kick.

Kelly Brown came in at the side as Leicester were given another chance to move within four points. Flood uncharacteristically missed again and Sarries were relieved to retain their advantage.

Hugh Vyvyan was introduced after 56 minutes and the Sarries stalwart’s 238th appearance set a new Premiership record.

The Men in Black were coming under increasing pressure from the champions who were determined to retain their title. Vyvyan was caught coming off his feet at the breakdown and Flood finally found his touch to make it 19-15.

Saracens still had a slender lead heading into the final ten minutes and it was their turn to enjoy some territory in the Tigers’ half. Leicester handled in the ruck and Farrell held his nerve, despite a chorus of boos for alleged time wasting, to kick them into a 22-15 lead.

Leicester were handed the chance, after an offside decision, to reclaim the three points straight from the restart and Flood booted over the penalty.

The Tigers piled on the pressure in a desperate bid to snatch their third consecutive title and they were given one last chance as they kicked to the corner from a penalty.

Leicester were camped inside the five-metre line with time up and Sarries drove them back before Barnes gave them another penalty. It was almost unbearable viewing as the whole season came down to this last play.

After seven minutes of torture and heroic defending during 33 phases the referee finally ruled against the Tigers when Tom Croft handled in the ruck. Saracens’ players puched the air in sheer delight after their first Premiership triumph in the most dramatic finale.

Saracens: Goode, Strettle, Wyles, Barritt, Short, Farrell, De Kock (Wigglesworth, 50); Stevens (Gill, 52), Brits, Nieto (du Plessis, 60), Borthwick, Botha (Vyvyan, 56), Brown, Burger, Joubert

Leicester Tigers: Hamilton (Twelvetrees, 75), Agulla, Smith, Allen, Tuilagi, Flood, Youngs; Ayerza, Chuter, Castrogiovanni (Cole, 54), Mafi (Slater, 70) Skivington, Croft, Newby, Crane

Scoring: 3-0, 3-3, 3-6, 6-6, 11-6, 13-6, 16-6, 16-9 HT 19-9, 19-12, 19-15, 22-15, 22-18

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Attendance: 80,016