Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Leicester win the Guinness Premiership after beating Saracens in classic final

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Leicester win the Guinness Premiership after beating Saracens in classic final

One of the most entertaining games of the weekend was played at Twickenham on Saturday as Leicester and Saracens battled it out for the Guinness Premiership title. The match ended dramatically with the Tigers taking it 33-27 after a late try.

Saracens flyhalf Glen Jackson, playing his final game for the club, kicked what looked like being the winning penalty with only a few minutes left. From the kickoff though, the Tigers came back with a incredible try to Dan Hipkiss after the ref had signalled a high tackle by, ironically, Glen Jackson.

Hipkiss kept playing and broke the tackles to run away and dive over for an amazing end to what was already a top quality game of rugby.

"I think it is my best moment for Leicester," said Hipkiss, "It means a lot.

"Some of the tries I have scored along the way have been good but I am happy that came in the final. I am delighted and really happy with it."

He had come on as a replacement, making his first appearance after being out with an injury since February. "I am sure the neutrals were happy with that sort of game with the lead changing all of the time.

"It was a fantastic end. I can imagine it was tough on my family and the fans watching. I am glad it came our way," he added.

It was a great game of rugby, so no need to say much more about it. Here’s the highlights.

Time: 07:05

FIRST BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

By boomer, at June 01, 2010 4:59 pm
wow, that was sooooo much better compared to the other three finals!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 5:04 pm
fantastic final. The thing that made this final an absolute classic was that both teams played brilliantly. Definitely the best premiership final i've ever witnessed. Credit to Saracens they played fantastically, but just couldn't match the Tigers in the end.

By Chris M, at June 01, 2010 5:11 pm
What a game! And what a tense last few minutes it was!

Saracens played very well and so nearly took the glory. But the Tigers just had that little bit extra.

As a Tigers fan, I am very happy. :)

By Maverick, at June 01, 2010 5:31 pm
Would not have picked this as the best final of the weekend but it certainly was. Good to see the Guinness Premiership shown in such a positive light with great attacking offloading rugby. If England could take anything from this it would be nice but I won't hold my breath...

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 5:35 pm
FIREST!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 5:42 pm
looked like a nice game
but how could saracens not get this last high ball at 27-26???

By kevdetoulouse, at June 01, 2010 5:52 pm
So naive... Saracens, they were so close, and what a stupid last try...

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 6:20 pm
brilliant game!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 6:24 pm
If the IRB ever brings in a TMO for the Field of Play (vs in goal), they should use overheads to judge if the referee obstructed a defender.

There have been quite a few tries this Spring across the many leagues where the referee got in the way.

If unintentional by the ball carrier, then laws provide for scrum for ball carrier's team

If intentional, then Penalty against ball carrier. Hard to judge though.

By cheyanqui, at June 01, 2010 7:22 pm
Great slow whistle from the referee in the 77th minute.

Too often, the referee would call a quick PK, and then stop the momentum and make a token warning to the defending side (without a card).

Then it either takes away any momentum the non-offending side has, or allows them to take 90 seconds for a PK attempt.

Keeping the whistle in the pocket instead rewarded the neutral fans with a try, rather than a PK.

By cheyanqui, at June 01, 2010 7:25 pm
I don't think it was obstruction at all. I think for there to be obstruction the defender must be prevented from getting at least a hand on the attacker.

Look at Ben Youngs' step - he leaves Borthwick for dead, and by the time that Borthwick IS impeded by the referee, Youngs is a good 3 metres away and gassing it.

Great game of rugby though, Sarries have shown so many new levels to their game and Leicester have thrown off this myth that they somehow don't play attractive rugby.

BUT as a neutral English fan, I have to say I was really happy that all of Tigers points came from English players - and if I'm not mistaken, all their tries were from players who have risen through the academy.

By mike, at June 01, 2010 8:06 pm
good surprise to watch the best of the 3 finals with Guinness Premiership final. Enough to rare to be remarked:)

Top14 and super14 were very physical match

summary of the match: never forget stop playing after an advantage given by the ref. Saracens should revise their classics

By Flooz, at June 01, 2010 8:19 pm
Wait, we're allowed to use the referee to obstruct the defense now? When did that happen?

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 9:13 pm
What a game!

By andy, at June 01, 2010 10:22 pm
There was no blocking! as mike said, ben youngs had left borthwick for dead - by the time he had turned to grab him youngs was already racing away. Realistically speaking - Youngs v Borthwick = only one winner!

By iceman!, at June 01, 2010 10:28 pm
anyone know where i can get the match in HD?

ta

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 10:55 pm
Anonymous said...
Wait, we're allowed to use the referee to obstruct the defense now? When did that happen?

Borthwick couldn't of been more flat footed!

thats a borthwick problem, not the refs.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 11:14 pm
Leicester's 13 man Smith looks like a ole rugger from the 70s, from the vids that ive seen lol

By USA7, at June 01, 2010 11:58 pm
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By Anonymous, at June 02, 2010 5:34 am
What a great game, Sorry to see Sarries couldn't capitalise on what has been a great season for them. 2nd isn't bad at all though. A lot to build on for next year.

Sorry that Leicester had such a strong back end of the season, would love to see teams like Bath in the Prem final instead of them.

There's always next year.

By Bradders, at June 02, 2010 9:45 am
the quality of play was amazing, the best i think i have ever seen in the guinness premiership. better than the other finals aswell, guys running from depth and with pace, a joy to watch

By rosh, at June 02, 2010 11:02 am
Was that the GP??

Shows what a bit of warm weather can do

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2010 12:47 pm
Felt sorry for Saracens as overall I prefered their style of running the ball. Full credit to Leicester though for the strength of their defence and also superb performances by people like Tom Croft in dominating the set piece.

From an England perspective there is some talent coming through but too late for WC 2011? Anyhow, anyone think we have even the slimmest of chances of nicking a game down under? I'd welcome your thoughts

By NiWiTa, at June 02, 2010 1:30 pm
The quality of this game did English rugby proud.
Surely, watching the S14 final gives a lot of sight about how the game can be played, but this game sums up the best of English (and NH) rugby...
Nerve Wrecking and heart attack inducing to watch!!

By vinniechan, at June 02, 2010 2:01 pm
To those Sarries fans moaning about the ref blocking Borthwick as others have said he was left for dead by Youngs and there was no block. In fact if you look at the build up to Sarries first try they barged the Tigers player in the line-out and for the second try the Sarries centre blocked the drift defence. Please learn to lose graciously.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2010 8:31 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2010 3:33 am
Great final! Really felt it for Sarries, they deserved the victory. I hope Alex Goode can fill the void left at 10 by the departing Glen Jackson though..

Naah, they will probably sign a quality South African fly half haha (just kidding).

Just how weak and characterless is Steve Borthwick? Martin Johnson was lucky he's injured and can't tour to Australia, 'cause Lewis Moody deserves the english captaincy all the way!

Cheers!

By Joost, at June 04, 2010 6:45 am