The players enter the field ahead of the Aviva Premiership final© Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

"This is our year," claimed one confident Saracens fan in the blazing hot West Stand car park, an hour before the Aviva Premiership final kick-off. "It's about avenging what happened last year. I'm confident."

Twelve months have passed since Saracens suffered extra-time heartbreak against Northampton. This time last year, despite comfortably finishing top of the league, Sarries left southwest London in despair. Now the tables had turned and only a free-flowing Bath side, seeking their first title since 1996, stood in their way. The mood was predominantly jovial as the sun bathed the outskirts of rugby HQ - but it didn't start out that way.

Disembarking the platform at Twickenham station was unnerving. Supporters from both sides conversed in a deep state of anxiety only recognisable at major games; a panicky change of subject here, a jittery overzealous laugh there. Nobody really wanted to think about the 80 minutes in front of them.

Children innocently flitted between the colourful throng spilling out onto London Road, completely devoid of the pre-match anxiety suffocating their elders. Those sporting the blue, black and white colours of Bath hadn't walked this path to the season finale since 2004, when they were beaten by Wasps, while Saracens suffered two defeats in the past five years.

Twickenham's industrial castle was obscured by tree-lined streets and, bizarrely, buskers singing Jamie T, so nothing seemed real yet. "Just the seven pounds for a programme," one man sarcastically aimed at the seller on the side of the road. Comfort could be taken from the fact that, 11 miles north, both Arsenal and Aston Villa fans were probably thinking the same outside Wembley.

Local residents had leased their front gardens to the "family run" food vendors, whose slightly overpriced delights were now being gorged on by spectators in fancy dress. Others submerged themselves around the colourful, but strictly unofficial, merchandise outlets as they slowly made their way up towards Rugby Road.

Then it hit you - the Holy Grail. Twenty-two games of enjoyment, disciplined teamwork, respect and sportsmanship, as depicted by the 27-foot high Gerald Laing sculpture dominating the South Stand piazza, boiled down to this.

"It's either going to be a very close game or a very one-sided game," Ben, a Bath fan supping a pint of bitter, told ESPN. "Am I bricking it? Not with Jonathan Joseph in the side. No chance." The neutrals favoured a Bath victory, too. Leicester Tigers fans, clad in red and black fezzes, made their opinion known. "Bath's attack is brutal," said Mike, reflecting on his side's heavy semi-final defeat at the Recreation Ground seven days prior. "It's too good - maybe even for Sarries."

There was, however, worry among some of Bath's travelling contingent: "We've got to stop Jacques Burger getting to George Ford," proclaimed one wearing a blue and white Roman hat. For a moment, the self-confessed "crazy man" of Sarries' wolf pack stirred feverish concern in front of the Lion Gate - until the Bath coach pulled up. The deafening noise that followed soon drowned out any hint of negativity.

"This is it," a father proclaimed to his young son as they scanned into the West Stand of England Rugby. His son soon ran in the direction of Sarrie the Camel, the Saracens mascot, who waited the other side of the barcode entrance and was busily entertaining a few guests.

Talk turned to where the match would be won and lost. Bath's attractive attack had scored more Premiership tries than any other team this term, but Saracens had conceded the least; it would be more complicated than attack against defence, surely?

Fans arrive at the stadium prior to kickoff during the Aviva Premiership Final© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

"Saracens are so effective at what they do," said Bath fan Dan, who continued to line his stomach with burger and chips. "Dare I say, they are a team built for big games. I don't particularly enjoy watching them - but credit where it's due. They completely stifled Saints and deserve to be here."

With both teams suitably warmed up, Twickenham readied to roar. Flames circled the pitch as the players made their way onto the lush turf in front of a record 80,589 crowd. A few months from now, enemies will become allies in the name of England and the Rugby World Cup. That would have to wait.

Owen Farrell drew first blood, in more ways than one. His early hit on Anthony Watson - which Bath coach Mike Ford later deemed worthy of a red card - incited angry cries from supporters seated behind the press box. "Are you watching?!" screamed one at referee Wayne Barnes, before he hastily told reporters what they should write.

Pantomime villain Farrell did little to calm their rage. Five minutes in, the Saracens fly-half shimmied and feinted his way through Bath's backline to score the opening try of the match. Saracens began to run away with it; this was their year.

The impressive Jamie George and Chris Wyles added two more tries as Bath's increasing error count proved costly. Twickenham shook when Sam Burgess ploughed into Billy Vunipola - the reverberation seemed louder than the post-try music pumped through the stadium's PA.

History, at this point, was against Bath. No team losing at half-time had ever gone on to be crowned champions. That would not change, despite Jonathan Joseph's early second half try, as Saracens grappled and charged their way to a second Premiership title. The season decided, the champagne opened. A mazy dash to the press room ensued while fans spilled out of the exits, some in disappointment and others revelling in glory.

A downbeat Ford attended to his media duties alongside Bath captain Stuart Hooper, before Mark McCall calmly enjoyed his victory in front of the press. A bloodied Farrell, who will be hoping to reproduce similar highs in another famous white shirt this summer, eventually came through and quickly apologised for his tackle on Watson.

"I spoke to him after the game, apologised and told him there was no intent behind it, Farrell said. "Obviously he was pretty down. I said sorry because, intentionally or not, I still did it."

Despite the game having long finished, Twickenham was still buzzing. The West Stand car park was a hub of activity as fans flocked from stadium to the big screen to watch the FA Cup final. "I can't believe we've lost that," a departing Bath fan murmured to his friend as they walked out of the gate. "We played into their hands, we had no Plan B". His friend silently agreed, no more needed to be said.