Guinness Premiership - Twickenham, 16 May 2009, 17:30 local, 16:30 GMT
Leicester Tigers (3) 10 - 9 (3) London Irish (FT)

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Summary

Time Score  
  0 - 3

The Guinness Premiership season is set for a dramatic finale at Twickenham this afternoon, with Leicester Tigers facing off against London Irish. The Tigers have timed their run to the final perfectly and are in the hunt for a domestic and European double, while Toby Booth's plucky Exiles will be looking to their veteran fly-half Mike Catt for inspiration. Join us for all the action at 16.30 GMT.

Geordan Murphy and Bob Casey have lead their sides out past the pyrotechnics at HQ, and the capacity crowd is in fine voice. Catt has the ball in his hands, and we're underway. Ball is claimed by Murphy. Vesty clears to Hewat - who lands a sensational long-range drop goal with 30 seconds on the clock.

1

From the restart, the Exiles lose the ball in a lineout. Knock on - and the Tigers have the put in in the opposition 22. Free kick - quick tap taken but knocked on.

2

Hodgson feeds, Catt clears as far as Johne Murphy. Geordan Murphy crosses the gainline. Ayerza carries up the middle.

3

Dupuy checks his options on the Irish 22, Erinle sets up possession. Vesty puts a grubber in behind Hewat for a lineout five metres out.

4

Coetzee finds his man. Hodgson feeds Catt who finds a decent touch thanks to a slip from Murphy.

5

Chuter throws in to a messy lineout. Ball is tied up in the ruck, high ball finds Murphy in centre field.

6

Hipkiss takes the ball wide, Erinle finds a half gap. Ball finds Croft in space, but his flip pass is a little loose and the ball is lost forward.

7

Hodgson feeds, Catt accepts the ball and kicks crossfield. Hamilton takes a quick one, finds Murphy who returns the ball out wide to Hamilton.

8

Tigers stream forward but a good break is spoiled by knock on from Irish. Ball is fed into the scrum, Tigers spin the ball in to the centre and are pinged for crossing. Armitage takes a hit and is down.

9

Catt finds a good touch from the penalty, pushing play in to Tigers' territory.

10

Ball finds Armitage in midfield, Dermody and Danaher carry well. Referee Wayne Barnes blows for a penalty as the Tigers fail to roll away. Delon Armitage will try his luck from range.

11

Armitage strikes the ball well, but pushes it wide. Had the distance but a poor attempt from in front of the sticks.

12

Catt again tests the Leicester back three, but the ball rolls in-goal and is called as a 22. Dupuy and Crane made a mess of leaving the ball to each other there.

13

Hodgson clears up at the lineout, Armitage takes the ball up in midifield. Catt kicks through the Tigers line, Murphy claims the ball and slices to gain a couple of metres for the Exiles.

14

Ball goes wide from Irish, sloppy hands allow Erinle to hack the ball downfield. The two Murphies swap passes before the ball finds Vesty and is knocked on by Croft.

15

Mapusua is handed the ball from the scrum, before Catt clears to Murphy. Ball is fed back inside, Jordan Crane carries well before Wayne Barnes' whistle sounds for an early tackle. Tigers' penalty.

16

Dupuy lines up the kick, it's good from in front.

17 3 - 3

Catt restarts, Murphy again in control of the ball. Tigers win the penalty as Chris Hala'ufia goes off his feet.

18

Ball is safe for the Tigers, Dan Hipkiss shreds the Irish defence with s superb step, Geordan and Johne Murphy hare forward in support. Ball goes down in a ruck, and Irish are again penalised on the floor. A talking to follows for Bob Casey.

19

Dupuy misses the kick from out wide, a definite let-off. Johne Murphy limps off after an injury in the warm-up, Matt Smith is his replacement.

20

Exiles have it, but Leicestr are competing well at the ruck. Hodgson box kicks but Irish are pinged for going off their feet.

21

Chuter throws in, but it's not straight.

22

Ben Woods gives away a penalty, Hodgson takes a quick tap, Tagicakibau races clear for the first time. Ben Kay is offside and it's an eminently kickable chance for Hewat and the Exiles.

23

Hewat's hit the post, poor effort from the ex-Waratah.

24

Geordan Murphy slices a kick downfield and Tagicakibau picks the pace up on the way back.

25

Hewat finds James Hudson at pace, Exiles ticking now. Armitage gets the ball but as it's spread wide Steffon Armitage loses it forward.

26

Free kick to Irish at the scrum, Hala'ufia powers through three tackles, Mapusua finds Tagicakibau but the ball goes out of play. Pace and power from Irish, it's genuine pressure on the Tigers now.

27

Crane controls at the base of the scrum, Vesty clears long. Hewat returns to touch in behind Hamilton.

28

Croft claims the lineout, ball changed hands with a pair of kicks before Vesty clears long. Hewat bangs the ball long in to touch to set up position.

29

Chuter's throw is again not straight. Scrum is re-set. Hodgson finds Mapusua on a good angle, Erinle again charges down a grubber from Catt. Ball goes in to touch.

30

Casey claims at the lineout but this time it's Coetzee whose throw is skewed.

31

Hamilton comes off his wing and takes the ball into contact, but is penalised for holding on. Irish penalty.

32

Armitage has pulled his kick wide again, a third miss for the Exiles.

33

Murphy restarts but the ball is out on the full.

34

Tigers make a real mess of the Irish scrum and reclaim the ball to let Murphy off the hook. Another aimless kick from Vesty is followed up by another from Hewat.

35

Vesty clears to Steffon Armitage, who claims a high ball moment later in the Tigers 22. Ball is chipped through by Mapusua, Armitage is after it but Murphy just gets there to concede the five-metre scrum.

36

Hodgson finds Mapusua, ball is knocked on by a Leicester hand. Pressure needs to be converted by the Exiles here.

37

Hodgson finds Hewat, advantage. Catt finds Steffon Armitage who is driven in to touch. Back for the advantage, and Casey has opted for the scrum.

38

Scrum is up, take two. Hala'ufia picks and drives, Hodgson finds Steffon Armitage. Penalty in front of the posts - warning for Vesty as he is offside. Casey again goes for the scrum.

39

Hodgson goes on his own and is caught, Mapusua goes close. The whistle goes - and it's a yellow card for Crane who goes in at the side of the maul. Can be no complaints from the Tigers.

40

Hodgson goes to Mapusua, ball is knocked clear in the tackle by a Tigers hand. That's half time. The Exiles don't get their try but will be a man up for the start of the second half.

40

Two changes for the Exiles - Danaher and Thompstone are off with injuries. Thorpe and Homer are the replacements. Homer takes the restart but his kick is charged down. Hamilton carries. Dupuy finds Vesty, Matt Smith carries well.

41

Smith breaks clear of his marker, breaks in to space but slips. Tigers lose the ball on the floor - Hodgson finds Hewat who clears.

42

Tigers secure the ball and run a set move. Vesty finds Hipkiss but the ball is then intercepted by Homer and Hewaty clears long. Matt Smith puts up a speculative high ball and loses the ball - Catt pins the Tigers back in to their own 22.

43

Ben Kay claims the lineout. Ball is cleared to Tagicakibau, who finds Mapusua.

44

Fine hands by Hewat and Hodgson finds Delon Armitage who chips in behind and chases. Hamilton beats him to the ball and concedes the five metre scrum.

45

Scrum is re-set. Hodgson finds Mapusua - who is pinged for holding on inches short.

46

Tigers miss touch - Catt puts the high ball up but Murphy calls the mark and clears to Hewat.

47

Tigers run the ball back through Hipkiss - but Ayerza gives away a penalty for going in at the side. Armitage lines the kick up despite Homer having entered the fray.

48 3 - 6

Armitage has landed this one - a deserved lead for the Exiles.

49

Hala-ufia collects the restart and bursts through several tackles. Feeds Coetzee but Hipkiss intercepts from the Springbok. He breaks - but the ball is lost in contact.

50

Irish have a penalty at the scrum. Catt kicks a conservative touch.

51

Hala'ufia claims the lineout but Hodgson puts the ball out on the full

52

Vesty finds Hamilton on a superb angle - the Kiwi is tap-tackled but Hipkiss carries on his work with a jinking run deep into Irish territory.

53

Dupuy finds Vesty. The scrum-half snipes at the base, ball is slowed. Turnover to Irish - superb work on the floor. Armitage clears.

54

Vesty snipes off good lineout ball but the defence is good. Forwards carry for the Tigers. Vesty tries for the break again. Men over for the Tigers, Woods creates some space.

55

Ball heads into midfield but Hipkiss is smashed by Homer, ball slows down. Tigers go backwards.

56

13th phase now, Smith makes some yards. Ball goes to Hamilton and the Kiw knocks on under pressure from Tagicakibau.

57

Hala'ufia picks up at the base and sends Steffon Armitage clear down the wing.

58

Hewat finds Delon Armitage, who throws a poor pass to Homer. Hewat puts an awful kick in behind, cleaned up by Hamilton - cleared way back in to Irish territory.

59

Exiles have the ball, Hodgson clears with a box kick.

60

Tigers have the ball in midfield, Kayser carries. Irish defence is firm.

61 8 - 6

Newby finds Erinle, who makes yards with a swirling run. Smith cuts inside, Crane has the ball and reaches out - looks like he's scored. Upstairs to the TMO. It's been given - big moment for the Tigers.

62 10 - 6

Croft claims the restart. Ball is cleared to Catt. Tagicakibau takes on Matt Smith, Armitage takes the offload but there' an accidental offside from the Tigers.

63

Loose passing from the Exiles - ball is lost with a foolish offload under pressure.

64

Dupuy clears to Armitage who kicks long, Vesty returns. Catt clears to touch.

65

Leicester take the quick lineout, Dupuy feeds Vesty who clears down the middle. Armitage returns before Murphy finds a decent touch on halfway.

66

Coetzee throws and gets it back. Hodgson kicks high - Muprhy claims. Hamilton throws an awful pass over the head of Hipkiss on his 22 - it's straight in to touch. Bad mistake.

67

Steffon Armitage carries, Mike Catt is also in support.

68

Catt finds Mapusua with a lateral pass, Catt comes for the return pass but knocks on under pressure.

69

Huge scrum from the Tigers. Penalty given.

70

Vesty finds a good touch with the Tigers growing in stature. Ball goes in to midfield but Erinle loses it forward.

71 10 - 9

Penalty given to Irish at the scrum this time - on halfway and in front of the posts. Armitage is stepping up.

72

Armitage's kick is good - it's not over yet. It is uncontested scrums however as Irish are out of props - always a shame. Tigers will be livid.

73

Vesty has the ball in midifield, looks to break. Dupuy puts a superb kick in behind the Irish defence - Catt is caught in possession by Erinle and bundled in to touch.

74

Lineout is messy and picked off by the Exiles, Catt clears superbly to touch.

75

Crane claims the lineout, Leicester roll a maul and the Exiles are pinged on halfway.

76

Vesty puts an awesome kick in to pin the Exiles back to five metres from their line. Ball is loose and falls for Newby, dropped backwards by Vesty. Kayser carries around the fringes. Erinle is again a willing runner, Hipkiss takes the ball but it's static.

77

Tigers are running down the clock, slow and steady from Dupuy. It's a penalty for Irish as the Tigers go off their feet. Catt clears.

78

Mapusua's cutout pass is poor and picked off by Smith - who hacks it in to touch. Tigers defence is superb.

79

Exiles run from deep, Catt chips over the defence but Murphy is there. Dupuy kicks and it's marked by Armitage - who ridiculously kicks the ball long to the waiting Tigers defence.

80

Leicester counting down the clock in possession - Dupuy bangs the ball in to touch and it's all over. The Tigers have banished their Twickenham blues to become Champions of England for a record eighth time.

Timeline

Time Leicester Tigers  Score  London Irish
0 start of first half 0 - 3 start of first half
Hewat - drop goal
17 Dupuy - penalty goal 3 - 3
20 Smith - sub on
JE Murphy - sub off
39 Crane - yellow card
40 end of first half end of first half
40 start of second half start of second half
Homer - sub on
Thompstone - sub off
Danaher - sub off
Thorpe - sub on
48 3 - 6 DA Armitage - penalty goal
57 Kayser - sub on
Chuter - sub off
59 Moody - sub on
Woods - sub off
61 Crane - try 8 - 6
62 Dupuy - conversion 10 - 6 Seveali'i - sub on
Hewat - sub off
63 Skuse - sub off
Corbisiero - sub on
71 10 - 9 Coetzee - sub off
Buckland - sub on
DA Armitage - penalty goal
73 Johnson - sub on
Dermody - sub off
74 Cole - sub on
White - sub off
80 end of second half
end of half
end of second half
end of half
80+1
0
80

Notes

 
Result Leicester Tigers won by a margin of 1 point
 
Ground name Twickenham Stadium, London (neutral venue)
Attendance 81601
 
Referee W Barnes

Teams

Leicester Tigers London Irish
Tries Crane (61) Tries none
Cons Dupuy (62) Cons none
Pens Dupuy (17) Pens DA Armitage (48, 71)
Drops none Drops Hewat (0)

Match stats

Leicester Tigers   London Irish
1 Tries 0
1 from 1 Conversion goals 0 from 1
1 from 2 Penalty goals 2 from 4
66.7% Kick at goal success 40.0%
0 Dropped goals 1
Kick/pass/run
26 Kicks from hand 38
115 Passes 105
103 Runs 61
450 Metres run with ball 296
Attacking
10 Clean breaks 5
14 Defenders beaten 8
9 Offloads 5
79 from 83 (95.2%) Rucks won 45 from 46 (97.8%)
1 from 1 (100.0%) Mauls won 0 from 0
13 Turnovers conceded 12
Defensive
71/9 Tackles made/missed 123/14
88.8% Tackling success rate 89.8%
Set pieces
6 won, 1 lost (85.7%) Scrums on own feed 16 won, 0 lost (100.0%)
14 won, 4 lost (77.8%) Lineouts on own throw 10 won, 2 lost (83.3%)
Discipline
13 Penalties conceded 8
1/0 Yellow/red cards 0/0

Leics stats

Pos   T/A Pts K/P/R MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen Y/R
FB GEA Murphy 0/0 0 6/8/16 82 1 2 0 0 3/0 1/0 0 0/0
W Hamilton 0/0 0 1/4/6 67 2 1 1 3 1/0 1/0 1 0/0
C Erinle 0/0 0 0/5/7 25 2 2 1 1 5/1 0/0 0 0/0
C Hipkiss 0/0 0 0/3/9 60 2 5 2 1 3/1 0/0 1 0/0
W JE Murphy 0/0 0 1/3/5 74 2 0 1 1 0/0 1/0 0 0/0
FH Vesty 0/0 0 10/17/7 6 0 0 1 0 14/1 0/0 2 0/0
SH Dupuy 0/0 5 6/56/4 7 0 0 0 1 3/0 0/0 0 0/0
P Ayerza 0/0 0 0/2/5 10 0 0 2 1 3/0 0/1 1 0/0
H Chuter 0/0 0 0/0/2 0 0 0 0 0 2/1 0/0 0 0/0
P White 0/0 0 0/0/4 5 0 0 0 0 2/0 0/0 2 0/0
L Croft 0/0 0 0/3/2 28 0 0 0 1 2/0 3/0 0 0/0
L Kay 0/0 0 0/0/2 0 0 0 1 0 2/0 3/0 1 0/0
F Newby 0/0 0 0/3/9 7 0 0 2 0 10/0 2/0 1 0/0
F Woods 0/0 0 0/1/2 15 0 0 0 1 10/2 0/0 1 0/0
N8 Crane 1/0 5 0/4/14 21 0 1 1 0 0/1 2/0 1 1/0
(H) Kayser 0/0 0 0/0/5 8 0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
(P) Cole 0/0 0 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
(F) Moody 0/0 0 0/2/0 0 0 0 0 0 2/0 1/0 0 0/0
(W) Smith 0/0 0 2/0/4 35 1 3 0 2 2/2 0/0 0 0/0
Key T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards

Irish stats

Pos   T/A Pts K/P/R MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen Y/R
FB Hewat 0/0 3 9/5/4 27 0 0 0 1 0/1 0/0 0 0/0
W Thompstone 0/0 0 0/3/1 0 0 0 0 1 2/0 0/0 1 0/0
C DA Armitage 0/0 6 5/4/3 2 0 0 0 0 5/4 0/0 1 0/0
C Mapusua 0/0 0 3/5/9 27 1 1 2 1 8/2 0/0 1 0/0
W Tagicakibau 0/0 0 0/2/10 85 1 2 2 0 2/0 0/0 0 0/0
FH Catt 0/0 0 15/23/4 29 0 0 0 2 12/1 0/0 0 0/0
SH Hodgson 0/0 0 5/51/2 14 0 0 0 1 11/1 0/0 0 0/0
P Dermody 0/0 0 0/0/3 5 0 0 1 1 9/1 1/0 1 0/0
H Coetzee 0/0 0 0/1/2 3 0 0 0 1 7/1 0/0 0 0/0
P Skuse 0/0 0 0/1/1 2 0 0 0 0 0/1 0/0 0 0/0
L Hudson 0/0 0 0/1/1 18 1 0 0 0 3/0 3/1 0 0/0
L Casey 0/0 0 0/0/1 0 0 0 0 0 6/1 4/1 0 0/0
F Danaher 0/0 0 0/0/1 0 0 0 0 0 2/0 0/0 0 0/0
F SE Armitage 0/0 0 0/2/6 33 1 2 0 1 15/0 0/0 0 0/0
N8 Hala'ufia 0/0 0 0/1/7 39 1 3 3 1 7/0 2/0 3 0/0
(P) Corbisiero 0/0 0 0/0/1 2 0 0 0 0 1/0 0/0 0 0/0
(H) Buckland 0/0 0 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 0 3/0 0/0 0 0/0
(P) Johnson 0/0 0 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 0 2/0 0/0 0 0/0
(F) Thorpe 0/0 0 0/0/2 2 0 0 0 0 12/1 0/0 0 0/0
(FB) Seveali'i 0/0 0 0/1/1 2 0 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
(W) Homer 0/0 0 1/0/2 6 0 0 0 0 3/0 0/0 0 0/0
Key T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards

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