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Saracens 12 Toulon 24: Wilkinson upstages Farrell by kicking ALL team's points to win



Of all he memorable images depicting Jonny Wilkinson’s glorious deeds at Twickenham, few — if any — can rival the snapshot which defined his Heineken Cup semi-final masterclass.

With six minutes remaining in a tense, disjointed encounter, the one-time golden boy of English rugby showed that his match-winning powers remain as strong as ever. It was a poignant, symbolic moment. Toulon were pounding the ramparts of the Saracens defence, then the ball was transferred back to the No 10, standing deep.

Under pressure, Wilkinson stepped to his left and hurriedly dispatched a low drop-goal shot just as his opposite number, Owen Farrell, crashed into him. As the pair fell to earth, they watched the ball fly just high enough to clear the bar, narrowly inside the right-hand post.




Main man: Jonny Wilkinson kicked all of Toulon's points as they beat Saracens at Twickenham





Side by side: Jonny Wilkinson and Owen Farrell after the former had dispatched a drop kick





Once he knew he had hit the target, the captain of the French side reached up and graciously patted his rival on the shoulder before being hauled to his feet.

The stunning, reflex kick made it 21-12 to Toulon and ensured a berth in the final against Clermont Auvergne in Dublin on May 18. It was a familiar script — Wilkinson dropping a goal to settle a high-stakes game — but there was far more resonance beyond a result which removed the last English club from European contention this season.

So much focus in the build-up had been on the fly halves — England’s past and present playmakers. Ultimately, it was no contest. While Farrell held his own until just before half time, a missed penalty from halfway was the first minor blip and the decline in his performance after the break was in stark contrast to Wilkinson’s ability to maintain or even raise his standards.

As the pressure mounted, the younger man blinked. The 33-year-old in his line of vision didn’t blink at all. Aside from an early knock-on, Wilkinson was relentless in his precision, above and beyond the routine matter of nailing every kick, from all manner of awkward angles. His distribution was supreme, capped by a deft pick-up off his toes and rapid pass right to send Matt Giteau into space in the first half.




Kicking king: Wilkinson was in fine form as Toulon beat Saracens to reach the showpiece event




Perhaps most telling of all was his footwork and running. Wilkinson, not renowned for being nimble and elusive in heavy traffic, was just that yesterday. Once he had dispatched a seventh penalty from as many attempts four minutes from the end, the formality of his man-of-the-match award was announced and all present paid handsome tribute.

Afterwards, the icon hugged and consoled Farrell before suggesting he is ‘hanging on by his fingernails’, in terms of his effectiveness in the elite game. Such an endearingly modest view bore no relation to what had just taken place.

This was a tour de force to match any he has delivered at HQ since his Test debut there in 1998. His return to the scene of so many heady occasions was a staggering triumph. Not long after the final whistle, in the streets outside the stadium, the hordes were chanting his name in raucous tribute.

For Farrell, the second half was a grim period. In the 52nd minute, when Toulon flanker Danie Rossouw was in the sin bin, the Saracens No 10 wasted an overlap on the left with a loose, long pass which went forward. Later, as he and the rest of Mark McCall’s men strove to conjure a try, a misplaced chip near the opposition 22 and a pass in his own half which was almost intercepted by Giteau suggested his composure was deserting him.



Campaign: Wilkinson could have earned himself a call up the Lions squad

As expected, this became a kicking duel as two powerful, resilient teams cancelled each other out, with over-zealous interventions from the ever-fussy referee Alain Rolland. Amid all the sharp-shooting, Giteau’s inside pass sent Alexis Palisson clear in the 16th minute but his kick to the left corner just evaded Delon Armitage.

At the other end, Alex Goode and Brad Barritt, who was outstanding until he limped off with an ankle injury, made inroads for Saracens. They manufactured an overlap, only for Ernst Joubert to cut in and ignore Kelly Brown outside him.

Toulon were 12-9 up at half time and held their own during Rossouw’s absence. With the likes of Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Chris Masoe making their presence felt, Saracens found all routes to a revival resolutely blocked, despite an occasional burst from the rolling maul.

For all their commitment and spirit, Sarries didn’t have enough accuracy and cutting edge to go with their willing graft. So the English teams are out, but a champion English fly half will go to Dublin for his first Heineken Cup final ready to prove yet again that he is still a potent force and a master conductor.


JONNY V OWEN



2 MINS: Farrell makes a great start, putting Saracens ahead, with a 40-metre kick.


Saracens 3 Toulon 0


4 MINS: Despite the early score for Saracens, Wilkinson replies straight from re-start.


Saracens 3 Toulon 3

12 MINS: Wilkinson scores his second penalty of the day, again from wide out on the left.


Saracens 3 Toulon 6


16 MINS: Farrell is penalised for obstructing wing Alexis Palisson and Wilkinson punishes him.


Saracens 3 Toulon 9


21 MINS: Farrell kicks his second penalty after a Toulon infringement at ruck.

Saracens 6 Toulon 9

23 MINS: Saracens kill ball at a ruck gives Wilkinson his easiest kick so far.


Saracens 6 Toulon 12


35 MINS: Farrell reduces margin by landing a superb 45-metre long effort.


Saracens 9 Toulon 12


46 MINS: Saracens penalised again at the scrum and Wilkinson kicks his fifth penalty.


Saracens 9 Toulon 15


56 MINS: After Toulon flanker Danie Rossouw is sin binned, Farrell kicks a penalty but Wilkinson responds instantly to land a kick from 51 metres.


Saracens 12 Toulon 18


74 MINS: The killer drop goal. Wilkinson grabs the chance despite a tackle from Farrell. Both men watch as the ball sails through.

Saracens 15 Toulon 21


76 MINS Saracens concede a penalty after a quick line-out and Wilkinson kicks his seventh penalty.


Saracens 15 Toulon 24




Not your day: Owen Farrell was outshone by Wilkinson as Saracens fell at the semi-final stage

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