England flanker Neil Back secured Heineken Cup rugby for Leicester next season
with a try 15 minutes into extra-time as the Tigers won the Zurich Wildcard
final.
The wildcard play-offs have drawn heavy criticism for being a competition too
far but there were were no complaints from a near-capacity Franklin's Gardens
crowd who were treated to an afternoon of high drama.
Leicester appeared to be heading for victory after Dorian West had crossed in
the 60th minute but a spectacular solo try from Saracens winger Richard Haughton
- converted by Andy Goode - levelled the score.
Tim Stimpson landed an 84th-minute penalty to put the Tigers back in control
but there was still enough time for Goode to boot three points, sending the
match into extra-time.
Both sides battled it out on tired legs with few chances coming at either end
but Leicester finally managed to break the deadlock, Back scampering over after
as the Tigers camped on Saracens line.
Dean Richards and the Leicester management will breathe a huge sigh of relief
after booking their spot in the Heineken Cup but defeat was tough on Saracens
who matched the Tigers for most of the game.
It was also a disappointing way for retiring international greats Tim Horan
and Abdel Benazzi to hang up their boots - the duo played a full part in the
club's end-of-season rejuvenation and will be sorely missed.
Benazzi was prominent as Saracens edged a frantic opening 10 minutes, touching
down through England flanker Richard Hill who burst over the line following some
neat approach work.
Goode converted to give the London club a four-point advantage - Tim Stimpson
had nudged over a fine penalty two minutes earlier - but Leicester went back on
the offensive through a slick backs move.
Stimpson swept down the right flank before feeding Leon Lloyd only for the
winger - switched from his usual position in the centres - to spill the ball
forward with the line beckoning.
Stimpson slotted a second penalty in the 21st minute as the Tigers continued
to play all their rugby in Saracens' half, slightly shading the kicking game as
both teams struggled to find their mark.
A fearsome brawl then broke out on the floor with several players involved and
referee Roy Maybank deemed Saracens to be the main offenders, awarding Leicester
a penalty which Stimpson stroked over.
Goode, playing against his former club, replied with a simple three points in
the 36th minute after Saracens had moved to within five metres of their
opponents' line, forcing the Tigers to infringe.
Leicester ended the first half with a flurry and crossed twice in injury-time
through Glenn Gelderbloom and Harry Ellis only for both efforts to be ruled out
because of a knock-on and crossing.
Saracens centre Kevin Sorrell made a magnificent break six minutes after the
interval, running onto a bullet pass from Goode and scything through the Tigers'
midfield.
He sprinted up the field until he met the last line of defence Horan but chose
to take the tackle instead of feeding either of the unmarked players on his
shoulder, concluding a great try-scoring opportunity.
Leicester scrum-half Ellis made a neat break from the back of a scrum
positioned just outside the 22 but his support could not keep up and Saracens
emerged with the ball through Ben Johnston who cleared the danger.
The London club were not so lucky in the 60th minute however as they buckled
under immense pressure from Leicester's pack who drove their way over via an
unstoppable maul, hooker West eventually coming up with the ball.
France ace Thomas Castaignede came on to replace Horan, who was given a
standing ovation by the crowd, and he was immediately in the thick of the
action, spectacularly missing his fly-hack at a loose ball.
A drop goal from Craig McMullen gave the Tigers a seven-point cushion but
Haughton's superb 80th-minute try - converted by Goode - levelled the scores,
with Stimpson and Goode then exchanging penalties to take the match into
extra-time.
The two sides looked inseparable but Back popped up with five minutes
remaining to claim victory and complete a memorable afternoon's rugby.
Teams:
Leicester: Stimpson, Holtby, Gelderbloom, Tuilagi, Lloyd,
McMullen, Ellis, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Short,
Back, Corry, Kay.
Not Used: Chuter, Freshwater, Nebbett, W. Skinner, Vesty,
Balding, J. Hamilton.
Tries: West, Back.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 4.
Drop Goals: McMullen
Saracens: Horan, Haughton, Johnston, Sorrell, O'Mahony, Goode,
Bracken, Flatman, Cairns, Califano, Benazzi, Yandell, Chesney,
Hill, Skirving.
Not Used: Storey, R. Russell, B. Russell, Roques, Kirton,
Little, Castaignede.
Tries: Hill, Haughton.
Cons: Goode 2.
Pens: Goode 2.
Att: 8,066
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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