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NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 22-20 SARACENS – DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ELIMINATED AT SAINTS BOOK PLACE IN FINAL WITH NARROW WIN
Northampton continued their table-topping form from the regular season to beat Saracens for a place in the Premiership Rugby final. Saints will head to Twickenham to face the winner of the second semi-final between Bath and Sale following a narrow, nervy win in which outgoing champions Saracens battled right until the dying moments at Franklin’s Gardens.
Northampton Saints booked their place in the Rugby Premiership final after holding on for a 22-20 victory over reigning champions Saracens.
Burger Odendaal crossed for the hosts, while Fin Smith kicked the hosts’ remaining 17 points at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to send them through to the Twickenham showpiece.
Northampton were hosting their first play-off game in nine years, but fell behind as Elliot Daly kicked Saracens 6-0 to the good.
However, the Saints broke through in the 19th minute as Odendaal crossed, while the right boot of Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over to 16-6 at half-time.
Saracens responded in the 56th minute as a clever sidestep from Owen Farrell enabled him to punt in behind the defence for Alex Lewington to touch down in the corner, and cut the deficit to three points.
Although, the kicking of Smith opened a nine-point advantage for Northampton, with Lucio Cinti’s last-gasp try proving a consolation for the reigning champions as their crown slipped away.Talking Point – Third time lucky for the Saints