Last gasp Sarries into final

Saracens scraped through to the Guinness Premiership Grand Final after Glen Jackson nailed a crucial conversion in the dying stages to beat Northampton 21-19.

Alex Goode scored the first try of the contest as the visitors spent much of the first half on the front foot.

But a powerful effort from Soane Tonga'uiha, who was at the centre of a feud between the two clubs in the run-up to the clash, seemed to be a turning point.

Northampton took the momentum into the second-half and looked set for victory after a Brian Mujati try, but Sarries hit back to level through Schalk Brits.

A nerveless Jackson then slotted over a tricky conversion from out wide to seal the victory.

The hosts spent much of the opening stages deep in opposition territory, with a powerful run from number eight Roger Wilson falling just short of the try-line.

Pressure

Saints' pressure was rewarded with the first points of the contest when Jacques Burger was sin-binned for holding on after the tackle and Stephen Myler slotted the three points.

Sarries eventually relieved the pressure and after a brilliant move sparked by Michael Tagicakibau, Goode went over to defy the one-man disadvantage.

Jackson added the conversion but his drop-kick attempt drifted wide of the posts shortly afterwards.

The flow of the game had turned completely around and the home side were fortunate to escape with a penalty, as Saracens tried to turn it over deep in their 22.

The visitors continued to have the lion's share of the possession but despite threatening with good speed and quick passes, Northampton weathered the storm.

And they responded with some pressure of their own, as star wing Chris Ashton broke through the Sarries' line but was hauled down and then turned the ball over.

Saracens were quickly back on the attack, with Myler making a try-saving intervention after some outstanding play from Goode had unlocked the defence.

Power

On the stroke of half-time, Saints retook the lead as powerhouse prop Tonga'uiha broke down the left wing, shrugging-off opposing tacklers and crashing over the line.

Two minutes after the restart, Myler added another three points after Saracens were found guilty of collapsing a scrum.

But another fluid move turned the tide again as Goode broke through then offloaded and the ball was spun out wide to Chris Wyles, who ran in unopposed.

Jackson added the extras but a cool penalty from Myler moments later tied the scores up at 14-14.

Urged on by a vocal crowd at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton mauled their way towards the try line and Mujati eventually touched down, although Myler sliced the conversion badly.

The hosts threatened the kill the game off, but were penalised for offside as they barraged their opponents' try-line.

The dominance continued until the last five minutes, when Saracens found another gear and after a powerful rolling maul following a penalty, Brits touched down close to the touchline.

Jackson then coolly stepped up to add the conversion and secure victory and a place at Twickenham in two weeks' time.