KO
Noise, flames and even more noise as the teams emerge! Saints are winning the battle in the stands, but out on the field is all that matters. Myler kicks off the 2014 Aviva Premiership final…
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
1min
Manoa gets to Bosch and charges down the Puma’s attempted clearance. It goes straight out to touch but Saracens are already under pressure throwing into a lineout 5m from their own line. Brits wheels off a maul and Fotuali’i strays offside though to allow Sarries clear.
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
3mins
Thumping kick to touch from Farrell as well but Saracens then close the gap at the lineout and concede a free kick.
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
5mins
Myler almost makes a mess of De Kock’s box kick but gathers eventually and Saints go through the hands. Both sides continuing to kick and look for the upper hand in territory before North powers up and over halfway but Corbisiero can’t hang onto a fizzed pass.
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
9mins
Sarries’ first chance to get a feel of the ball also ends in a knock on - Botha spilling in contact. Advantage is played, Foden kicks upfield and Goode concedes a lineout on the Sarries 10m line. North is almost freed by a delicious cross kick from Myler, too.
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
11mins
Both sides taking their time to settle. Foden evades his man excellently in one breath, but kicks out on the full poorly in the next. Saracens get their maul on and win a penalty.
SAR 0 SAINTS 0
12mins
We have points. Farrell knows this Twickenham turf well and guides over a good mid-ranger for Saracens.
SAR 3 SAINTS 0
14mins
Goode sends a hopeful looking kick forward and the bounce of the ball favours the Saracens full back. Myler has to carefully guard it into touch. Saints’ exit from the 22 is okay but Vunipola is allowed space to build up steam and Barritt cuts a half gap.
SAR 3 SAINTS 0
16mins
Saints playing dangerously and Ashton almost picks off an interception. The men in lime are making their tackles well though and force Saracens back into their own half, where Farrell opts to kick. Strettle takes the high ball brilliantly and Saints are pinged for offside scrambling over the loose ball.
SAR 3 SAINTS 0
18mins
Saints disappointed to be penalised there, Saracens don’t mind. Farrell doubles the lead.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
20mins
Front foot ball for the Saints, even after Burger smashes Ken. Burrell drives through Farrell to open up a bit of space on the left but when possession is kicked away, Bosch is free to run it up to halfway.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
22mins
Fotuali’i goes to the box kick once more and referee Doyle has spotted someone in front of the kicker. It’s another priceless penalty gift for Saracens, albeit one Farrell pushes wide.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
24mins
Pretty subdued atmosphere at Twickenham right now. It hasn’t been the fastest paced game to say the least and Saints are in need of something to get their fans going.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
25mins
Saracens are on top at the minute, though. De Kock slips through a clever kick for Strettle to chase and George has to scamper and dive it into touch just to keep the winger at bay. Time for another maul from the lineout but Saints get around the ball and win a scrum.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
27mins
Territory is always key and right now it’s Saracens bossing the field. Farrell makes the game’s first clean break but support isn’t with the fly half quickly enough and Vunipola ends up throwing a forward pass.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
29mins
Scintillating stuff from Ken!! The Samoan wing peels off the back of a scrum, beating three Saracens tacklers and haring 70m upfield. Saracens cynically kill the move but Myler goes to the corner with the penalty.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
31mins
Sarries can’t cope with the first maul so Myler gives his pack another chance. Saints turning up the taps.
SAR 6 SAINTS 0
32mins
SAINTS TRRRRYYYY!!!!! Saracens simply couldn’t live with the intensity in that phase of play. The maul again goes down, this time legally, but the backs are quickly on the scene and whip it wide to give Foden a free run in.
SAR 6 SAINTS 5
34mins
Myler converts and from nowhere, Saints lead. Foden’s second successive Aviva Premiership final try owes much to Ken’s brilliant break and a killer touch close to the Sarries line.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
35mins
Twickenham is buzzing and so are the Saints. North breaks the line from the kick off and sets in motion a superb offloading move. It ends with a knock on just inside Saracens’ half but the men in lime are perking up.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
37mins
Scrum penalty for Saracens, the Londoners enjoying the edge in the set piece right now. Farrell kicks into the Saints 22.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
39mins
Saints’ defence is forcing Saracens backwards but Farrell sinks a beauty of a kick through to force Ken into touch 5m from home. Chance for Saracens to end the half on a high.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
40
Saracens are looking to utilise their maul but Saints first hold off the drive and then get around the ball, Lawes and Dickinson winning a scrum and an opportunity to end the half.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
HT
Any sort of lead will do in a game like this and at half-time, Saints will have exactly that. A penalty to touch ends the half.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
HT
Just the job. Saracens dominated large chunks of territory but Saints stayed patient enough in defence to keep them largely at bay and pounced thanks to Ken’s moment of inspiration. There’s still a hell of a long way to go, but if they can find a second half performance anything like the last couple of weeks…
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
41mins
Farrell gets the final back underway…
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
42mins
Saints flying into the tackles early in the second half, Manoa and Wood crashing into contact. It’s a tactic that works, too, as Saracens knock on.
SAR 6 SAINTS 7
44mins
Goode spearheads Saracens’ first counter of the second half and it’s a decent one as he offloads to Burger. Saints are penalised for playing the ball off their feet and Farrell recaptures the lead.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
46mins
Really poor error from De Kock. Sarries claim the restart but are driven back into their own 22. The South African kicks out on the full and play comes all the way back for a Saints lineout.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
48mins
Chance gone. North steamrollers Goode to take the Saints within 5 and while Burger is quickly out to Corbisiero, Saints recycle. Myler cuts inside one tackle but his wide pass is to no one, Burrell having cut back against the grain.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
48mins
This time De Kock is free to kick out of play but it’s only pushed Saints just outside the 22. A brief maul is followed by Manoa hurdling tacklers and Goode is then swamped after a grubber through. Saracens are let off easily though with a penalty.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
51mins
Excellent from North, who fields Farrell’s poor kick, lumps upfield himself and forces the Engalnd 10 to kick out for a loss of 20m. Time for changes, Mercey and Dickson on for Ma’afu and Fotuali’i. Saracens have changed Hargreaves, Wray and Wigglesworth for Botha, Burger and De Kock.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
55mins
Another attack from the Saints builds momentum, North knocking Farrell back with another big carry. Lawes gallops down the left but when Dickson sends a pass back down the blindside, Saints get isolated and Saracens turnover.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
55mins
More Saints swaps, Waller and Hartley on for Corbisiero and Haywood. Wigglesworth kicks upfield but Ken has all the time in the world to call the mark and kick for touch.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
57mins
Sarries are now playing the territory game and Farrell finds an inch perfect touch to peg the Saints in. Clark and Manoa are off for Dowson and Day as Saints lose a lineout for the first time. The scramble defence is excellent though and referee Doyle rewards them with a penalty.
SAR 9 SAINTS 7
59mins
SAINTS TRRRRRRRYYYYYYY!!!! Ken makes things happen for the Saints again! He taps back Dickkson’s soaring box kick and with plenty of men wide, North charges into the 22. The Sarries defence still needs some unlocking though and Myler’s sublime grubber is grounded by brother George.
SAR 9 SAINTS 12
60mins
Myler puts his right boot to ball again and the Saints go five clear. Brilliant touchline conversion form the Saints fly half.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
61mins
Saracens try. Dickson breaks away from a lineout but Ashton secures his high kick moments later on the deck. Play goes wide from quick ball and Farrell is free to go over and level things up.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
63mins
Or is it a try?! With Farrell getting treatment, referee Doyle has time to see the build up on the big screens. He’s pulling it back for the TMO to have a look! NO TRY! It’s almost the biggest cheer of the afternoon for the black, green and gold!
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
63mins
There are let offs and then there are let offs. Jim Mallinder spoke in the week about needing that little bit of luck. Can Saints make the most of theirs?
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
64mins
Advantage was being played, so it’s still Sarries on the attack. They’re just 5m out but a big hit from North on Brits forces them out of the 22 before Burrell almost races free. There was a Saints knock on though.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
66mins
WHAMMY!!!! Lawes has just railroaded Hodgson with what is surely the hit of the season! That was enormous.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
68mins
Desperate times for the Saints in defence but Lawes again gets to Hodgson. Hartley drives over the ball, the support is quick in coming and saints have a penalty.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
69mins
In the midst of this Saracens pressure, Wilson had replaced George in midfield. It is he that kicks to touch from in front of his own sticks, right up to halfway.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
70mins
The squeeze isn’t off for long though. Saints get it wrong in the maul, Sarries are awarded a penalty and Hodgson kicks back into the 22.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
71mins
Lovely from Wigglesworth, who crabs sideways, into a gap and frees his arms for the offload. There’s an advantage being played and Saracens can go to the corner with it.
SAR 9 SAINTS 14
72mins
Saracens try. A good Saints counter kills the maul but Myler has to be sharp to haul down Bosch. The pressure tells though and when play is whipped wide the Argentine is involved again, this time for a certain try.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
74mins
All square. Hodgson’s conversion strikes the upright.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
75mins
Following Myler’s restart, Saracens get their clearance to 35m out. Saints looking to build some pressure of their own now.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
77mins
It’s a Saracens penalty on the halfway line though, Brits winning one for his side. It’s going to be an epic end to this Aviva Premiership final whatever the outcome.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
78mins
Wyles goes through and Saracens are oh so close again. Momentum has swung massively in their favour but Saints somehow turnover and Wood kicks clear to halfway.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
79mins
Big noise from the Saints Nation as they look to pick their men up. Brits throws a wonky lineout and Saints will scrum.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
80mins
It’s a messy scrum but Saints recover the ball on the deck and Dickson kicks through. North bundles Ashton into touch and for the first time, the Aviva Premiership final will go to full-time!
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
FT
Have you ever known tension like it! There’ll be 10mins either way for extra time and if the game is still square after that, the game will be decided by tries scored. Saints currently 2-1 up in that area, but so much rugby to be played.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
EXTRA TIME
Myler restarts…
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
82mins
Turnover ball for Sarries inside their own 22 as Foden slides to deck. Wigglesworth kicks it back Saints’ way and Goode then has to climb well to claim Dickson’s box kick. He’s wrapped up on the floor though for a Saints penalty and in kickable range, too.
SAR 14 SAINTS 14
84mins
Dead centre from Myler. Saints are back in front.
SAR 14 SAINTS 17
84mins
The restart doesn’t go well for the men in lime and Saracens have a scrum just shy of the 22. The set piece crabs sideways, Sarries get the penalty and just like that, it’s level again.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
88mins
Brilliant interplay from Saracens as Ashton cuts through against the grain. Wray goes within inches of scoring but there was blocking earlier in the move on Dickinson.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
88mins
A lot of concern for Waller, who’s taken a huge bang in midfield. A real touch of class from Hodgson as well, who crouches over the prop to make sure he is ok until medical help arrives. Waller leaves the field by his own accord, possibly for a concussion test.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
89mins
Myler’s penalty finds touch but it’s a tad scrappy from the lineout and a kick down Ashton’s throat allows Saracens clear.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
HT
Burrell scrambling again and almost clear but for another knock on. 10 down, 10 to play.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
91mins
We’re ready for the final throes of a mammoth Aviva Premiership final here at Twickenham. Hodgson kicks off…
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
91mins
Stephenson is on for Ken and he takes the restart smartly. Dickson’s box kick is very good and Sarries will throw in on halfway.
SAR 17 SAINTS 17
93mins
First chance of the half goes to Saracens after Brit’s offload and Vunipola’s rampage. Saints go offside and Hodgson edges Saracens ahead. Seven to play.
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
95mins
The ball is in Saracens hands, but not for long as Hodgson boots out on the full under Dickson’s pressure. Saints lineout, 28m out but the ball is lost.
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
96mins
Vunipola is down with cramp. He is quickly replaced by George as Hodgson sends off a 22 dropout.
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
98mins
Excellent defence from Saarcens but just when it looks like they’ve stolen the ball back, there’s a knock on. Saints scrum, 30m out and right in front of the posts. Three points would do it.
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
98mins
Burrell makes ground to take Saints into the 22 and the forwards take over to eek out the inches. Saracens defending desperately but Saints are now within 5!
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
100mins
The TMO is in action, Saints hammering the line under the sticks. It all comes down to this…
SAR 20 SAINTS 17
FT
SAINTS TRRYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! Saints are going to be Aviva Premiership champions!!!!
SAR 20 SAINTS 22
FT
Crazy scenes! It was Waller who burrowed over and after wild celebrations, Myler clips over the conversion. Saints are Aviva Premiership champions for the first time! It's also a double!!
SAR 20 SAINTS 24
TIMELINE
12mins SAR Pen Farrell 3-0
18mins SAR Pen Farrell 6-0
23mins SAR Miss pen Farrell
32mins SAINTS Try Foden Con Myler 6-7
HALF-TIME SAR 6 SAINTS 7
45mins SAR Pen Farrell 9-7
59mins SAINTS Try G Pisi Con Myler 9-14
74mins SAR Try Bosch 14-14
FULL-TIME SAR 14 SAINTS 14
84mins SAINTS Pen Myler 14-17
86mins SAR Pen Hodgson 17-17
ET HALF-TIME SAR 17 SAINTS 17
93mins SAR Pen Hodgson 20-17
100mins SAINTS Try Waller Con Myler 20-24
ET FULL-TIME SAR 20 SAINTS 24
SARACENS: Goode; Ashton, Bosch, Barritt, Strettle; Farrell, De Kock; Barrington, Brits, Stevens, Borthwick (capt), Botha, Brown, Burger, B Vunipola
Reps: George, Gill, Johnston, Hargreaves, Wray, Wigglesworth, Hodgson, Wyles
SAINTS: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Haywood, Ma’afu, Manoa, Lawes, Clark, Wood (capt), Dickinson
Reps: Hartley, A Waller, Mercey, Day, Dowson, Dickson, Wilson, Stephenson
Aviva Man of the Match: Stephen Myler
Referee: JP Doyle
Att: 81,193
