SaracensGuinness Premiership dreams were shattered after a Dan Hipkiss try three minutes from time fired Leicester Tigers to a 33-27 win in an epic final at Twickenham this evening.

Sarries had their first Premiership trophy within their grasp after Glen Jackson’s penalty took them one point clear with the game all but over. But England centre Hipkiss tore up the fairytale script as Saracens were caught asleep from the restart and helped the Tigers retain their championship in front of more than 80,000 supporters.

Two tries from Ernst Joubert kept Saracens in contention for their first silverware in 12 years but the Tigers were in superb form with Ben Youngs and Matt Smith scoring for them. Saracens contributed to a magnificent final and can have no regrets after a heroic effort but that will be no consolation tonight after coming so close to winning the title.

The Men in Black made one change from the side which won at Northampton Saints in the semi final. Steve Borthwick returned for his first game for the club since January replacing Mouritz Botha in the second row. Director of rugby Brendan Venter, who was forced to watch the clash from his St Albans home due to his touchline ban, agreed to keep Joubert as their skipper for the final.

Sarries drew first blood with Jackson firing over a penalty to give them the lead after three minutes. But from the restart Jacques Burger was penalised for not moving away and Toby Flood brought the Tigers level.

Leicester conceded another penalty after ten minutes and Jackson booted the ball over to restore Sarries’ lead. From the restart, the Tigers launched their first attack but Ben Youngs’ pass was knocked on by Anthony Allen close to the line. The champions did not take long to threaten again with a desperate late challenge from Hugh Vyvyan denying Tom Croft just short of the tryline.

Saracens were under the cosh and the Tigers’ pressure paid off with the first try after 14 minutes. Fine interplay from the Leicester backs resulted in Scott Hamilton setting up centre Matt Smith whose pace took him down the touchline to score. Flood added the conversion which made it 10-6 to Leicester.

The Men in Black refused to cave in and struck back with a devastating move. Jackson was heavily involved in the attack and Burger’s pass set up Joubert for the finish. The television match official gave the thumbs up and Sarries were back in front despite Jackson’s conversion missing the target.

The Tigers regained the lead from the restart from a Flood penalty with the match brilliantly flowing from end to end. Leicester conceded another penalty which Jackson dispatched to hand Sarries a one-point lead.

Leicester regained the advantage ten minutes from the break, with their second try of the game, when outstanding scrum half Youngs found space to surge through the middle and score underneath the posts. Sarries felt aggrieved referee Dave Pearson appeared to block Steve Borthwick as Youngs raced away for the try. Flood’s conversion took Leicester into a 20-14 lead.

A gripping first half came to an end with the Tigers in the ascendancy but Saracens were still well within touch of a first Premiership title.

Borthwick’s return ended five minutes into the second half with Botha replacing him. The Tigers extended their lead with another penalty from Flood. Saracens desperately needed a score and they got their wish with Joubert crossing for his second try.

Another superb break saw Adam Powell offload to Andy Saull and the England Saxons flanker released the skipper for another breathtaking try. Jackson’s conversion took them to within two points of the Tigers.

Saracens conceded a penalty for a late tackle from Michael Tagicakibau on Geordan Murphy. The crowd booed vociferously at the decision with Flood gaining five metres on the kick but his effort still fell well short.

The Men in Black were suffering at the set piece and they conceded another penalty at the scrum. Flood fired over the kick to hand the Tigers a 26-21 lead midway through the second half. Sarries were penalised again in the scrum but Flood squandered the opportunity.

Justin Marshall was brought on, in place of Neil de Kock, with 15 minutes remaining for his final appearance before retiring. The Tigers conceded a penalty just inside their own half but Jackson failed to take advantage from the kick.

Saracens came agonisingly close to striking a third blow when Brad Barritt’s clever kick almost found Schalk Brits. After recycling the ball they were let down by Rhys Gill after the prop knocked on in front of the posts.

The champions were caught offside with ten minutes left and Jackson, on his final appearance, drilled over the kick to take Saracens within two points.

With five minutes remaining the Tigers conceded a penalty after Louis Deacon came in from the side. Jackson held his nerve and sent Saracens into the narrowest of leads.

But straight from the kick off Saracens were caught cold and replacement Dan Hipkiss charged through the defence to score the crucial third try. Flood’s conversion gave them a six-point lead with only two minutes to hold out.

Sarries were handed one final chance to take the glory with a penalty which Jackson sent into the corner. But the Tigers stole the lineout and booted the ball out to retain their title in the most dramatic fashion.

Leicester Tigers: Murphy, Hamilton, Smith (Hipkiss, 60), Allen, Tuilagi (Staunton, 74), Flood, Youngs; Ayerza (Stankovich, 59), Chuter, Castrogiovanni, Deacon, Parling, Croft, Moody (Newby, 78), Crane

Saracens: Goode, Tagicakibau (Ratuvou, 57), Powell, Barritt, Wyles, Jackson, De Kock (Marshall, 65); Aguero (Gill, 50), Brits, Du Plessis, Borthwick (Botha, 45), Vyvyan, Burger, Saull (Melck, 65), Joubert

Scoring: 0-3, 3-3, 3-6, 8-6, 10-6, 10-11, 13-11, 13-14, 18-14, 20-14 HT 23-14, 23-19, 23-21, 26-21, 26-24, 26-27, 31-27, 33-27

Referee: Dave Pearson