This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/22/saracens-exeter-lv-cup-final-match-report

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ben Spencer’s late penalty seals LV Cup crown for Saracens against Exeter Ben Spencer’s late penalty seals LV Cup crown for Saracens against Exeter
(34 minutes later)
Saracens scrum-half Ben Spencer hailed a battling last-ditch 23-20 LV Cup final win against Exeter at Franklin’s Gardens. Sarrries led 20-6 with 20 minutes of the game remaining thanks to two tries from David Strettle and a close-range effort from Nick de Jager. Ben Spencer, the Saracens scrum-half, praised a battling last-ditch LV Cup final win against Exeter at Franklin’s Gardens. Sarries led 20-6 with 20 minutes of the game remaining thanks to two tries from David Strettle and a close-range effort from Nick de Jager.
The Chiefs, however, staged a superb comeback with young full back Max Bodilly crossing twice to tie the scores, but Spencer had the final say with his late penalty securing the title for Sarries. The Chiefs, however, staged a superb comeback with young full-back Max Bodilly crossing twice to tie the scores, but Spencer had the final say with his late penalty securing the title for the home side.
“We’re a very, very tight knit group,” said Spencer. “During those last 10 minutes, we were fighting for everything. A few decisions didn’t go our way. In those last few minutes, to put pressure on Exeter like that from the lineout and then to get that penalty at the end was just brilliant. “We’re a very, very tight knit group,” said Spencer. “During those last 10 minutes, we were fighting for everything. A few decisions didn’t go our way. In those last few minutes, to put pressure on Exeter like that from the lineout and then to get that penalty at the end was just brilliant.”
Spencer, who kicked eight points during the match, was sent to the sin-bin just before the break after he was penalised for failing to roll away at the ruck.Spencer, who kicked eight points during the match, was sent to the sin-bin just before the break after he was penalised for failing to roll away at the ruck.
The Sarries scrum-half atoned for his 10 minutes off the field by setting up Strettle for the first of his two tries with a perfectly judged kick into the corner.The Sarries scrum-half atoned for his 10 minutes off the field by setting up Strettle for the first of his two tries with a perfectly judged kick into the corner.
“That was the first yellow card of my career,” Spencer said. “That was the first yellow card of my career,” Spencer said. “Probably not the best time to get it, but the boys did incredibly well when I was off. It just shows how tight we are as a group to come away with the victory.
“Probably not the best time to get it, but the boys did incredibly well when I was off. It just shows how tight we are as a group to come away with the victory. “Obviously, we came into today with a gameplan. We identified there was an area we could attack and that was one of them.”
“Obviously, we came into today with a game plan. We identified there was an area we could attack and that was one of them.” Joe Shaw, the coach, added: “Today showed what this team has been about all year, this is a special group that never stops fighting and has always found a way. We did that again today despite creating a few hurdles for ourselves. I thought that the last 10 minutes the way we battled with 14 men to keep going and keep going just shows what this club is all about.”
Joe Shaw, the coach, added: “Today showed what this team has been about all year, this is a special group that never stops fighting and has always found a way. We did that again today despite creating a few hurdles for ourselves, I thought that the last 10 minutes the way we battled with 14 men to keep going and keep going just shows what this club is all about.”
Ricky Pellow, Exeter’s assistant coach, was disappointed to see his side lose the game with the last kick of the match having seen them fight back from 14 points down.Ricky Pellow, Exeter’s assistant coach, was disappointed to see his side lose the game with the last kick of the match having seen them fight back from 14 points down.
The reigning champions relinquished their crown following a thrilling 80 minutes of action in Northampton.The reigning champions relinquished their crown following a thrilling 80 minutes of action in Northampton.
“I’m massively proud of the group today,” he said. “As a squad we are disappointed with the way we lost the game. Full credit to Saracens, they put us under a lot of pressure. We did go off script a little bit today and, when we did, they punished us. That’s the sign of a good side.They held on at the end and Ben Spencer, who is a quality kicker, knocked it over. We’re going away with a loss and Saracens are moving forward and have an LV= Cup under their belt.” “I’m massively proud of the group today,” he said. “As a squad we are disappointed with the way we lost the game. Full credit to Saracens, they put us under a lot of pressure. We did go off script a little bit today and, when we did, they punished us. That’s the sign of a good side.They held on at the end and Ben Spencer, who is a quality kicker, knocked it over. We’re going away with a loss and Saracens are moving forward and have an LV Cup under their belt.”