Overall a pretty scrappy error-strewn game. Two teams that were destined to defend doggedly for large portions of the match and some poor handling and even poorer kicking.
The game yesterday between Leicester and Northampton suffered from lots of missed kicks, but these were from the high winds. Today, it was simply poor kicking. Saracens missing six, and Gloucester two. Admittedly, the first couple from Saracens were from the half-way line and were taken without expectation, but then Farrell and Goode missed relatively orthodox kicks that they really should have made, and had they done so, Saracens margin of victory would have been nearer 14 points.
Borthwick was harshly sin-binned half-way through the second half for taking a man down in the line-out. At the time, it looked a fair call, but watching the highlights on television later, he was hard done by.
I kind of got the impression early on that Gloucester were nervous and had come the make sure they didn't lose the game. You see that sometimes and it hinders the team immensely. Thus it seemed to Gloucester for the first half. After half-time, they seemed to have been given a rocket and started to play more attacking rugby.
Saracens game play of containment served them well for much of the game, and with the absent Borthwick in the bin, Gloucester took advantage of the extra man. Following a poor decision from Farrell with a charged down attempt a second drop goal, Gloucester broke and scored a break-away try to go 10-9 ahead (the only time in the match that they would lead).
However, it was short lived and soon after, Farrell slotted over his fourth penalty to take Sarries home at 12-10.
Not a great spectacle, but a tense and exciting game of rugby for much of the match.
I'll be at Twickenham for the final along with many of the 12,032 fans that were at Vicarage road today.
See you there....
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