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.'
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