Norfolk stars key to Leicester triumph

Leicester were crowned Guinness Premiership champions for the third time in four seasons as two Norfolk players - Ben Youngs and Dan Hipkiss - took centre stage.

Leicester were crowned Guinness Premiership champions for the third time in four seasons as two Norfolk players - Ben Youngs and Dan Hipkiss - took centre stage.

The Tigers retained the league crown by keeping their composure during a thrilling encounter which saw the lead change hands seven times.

Centre Matt Smith, Norfolk-born scrum-half Youngs and substitute Danny Hipkiss, who started out at Diss, scored tries for Leicester, with Hipkiss striking three minutes from time. But it was fly-half Toby Flood's goalkicking that made the difference as he booted 18 points from four penalties and three conversions, while number eight Jordan Crane delivered a monumental man-of-the-match display.

Saracens captain Ernst Joubert claimed a touchdown in each half, and there were 17 points for fly-half Glen Jackson on his final appearance before retirement, but the Hertfordshire club have still not won a major trophy since 1998.

And they will kick themselves for missing several tackles on Hipkiss during a dramatic finale after Tigers wing Scott Hamilton snaffled possession from the restart after a Jackson penalty had edged Saracens 27-26 in front.

Afterwards Hipkiss hailed the club's never-say-die spirit after a dramatic victory .

'It was a fantastic game, real last-minute stuff,' Hipkiss said. 'We are never quite done, there's always a bit more to go.

'In a final it means a massive amount and credit to the boys for sticking in there.'