Ford leads Tigers to Sixways title triumph

The match was settled soon after half-time as wing Scott Hamilton ran 80 metres after intercepting an ambitious pass from Saints fly-half Stephen Myler.

Teenage fly-half George Ford, who kicked a match tally of 16 points, had kept the Tigers in control with three penalties before flanker Steve Mafi gave them the lead for the first time in the 26th minute.

Northampton, winners of the competition two years ago, did not manage a try until five minutes from time, through lock Christian Day.

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill could not have been happier after seeing a team largely made up of his ‘fringe players’ and youngsters defeat their old rivals Northampton.

Cockerill said: “I was delighted with the performance, delighted for some of those guys on the fringes that were playing in a big game for the first time.

“We were a bit fortunate with the interception taking us out of sight but I thought we were good for the win.

“There was some good grit and determination out there – we were under the cosh for the whole of the second half virtually but the attitude of the players has been outstanding for the last four or five weeks.

“It was a fierce game. I’m sure it was a great spectacle for the neutrals – if there were any in the stadium.

“As I told the players during the week, it’s Leicester-Northampton. We’ve not met in a final in 130 years. It’s one we don’t want hanging around our necks for losing.”

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder refused to point the finger at Myler. He said: “Sometimes that happens. I think he saw someone coming out of the line and tried to get the pass over him. It just didn’t happen for him. It’s just unfortunate – I don’t blame him for trying it.

“On our day we could easily have won that game, but it wasn’t our day. We’re not down and out. We’re still a good team and can get through to the play-offs.”