Hill retires on a high
A last-minute Saracens try ensured World Cup winner Richard Hill retired on a high on Saturday.
Last Updated: 10/05/08 6:42pm
A last-minute Saracens try ensured World Cup winner Richard Hill went into retirement on a high on Saturday.
Flanker Hill, who was making his 288th appearance for Sarries, seemed to be ending his distinguished career with a loss as visitors Bristol led 20-18 going into the final minute.
But left-wing Kameli Ratuvou scored to ensure a 25-20 victory on the final day of the regular Guinness Premiership season.
In a fitting tribute, Hill, who was a key player in England's 2003 triumphant campaign in Australia, received a tremendous ovation from the fans.
Tries
And his side raced into a 15-3 lead in the opening 17 minutes, thanks to tries from full-back Richard Haughton and right-wing Noah Cato.
But Bristol then dug in and fought back, with two tries from their 19-year-old centre Luke Eves, which looked to have sealed the win.
But Ratuvou scored the last-minute winning try by outstripping the visiting defence to race over in the left-hand corner.
Fly-half Alex Goode, who was making his debut, then converted with the final kick of the match, so contributing 10 points to his team's haul.
His counterpart Ed Barnes also scored 10 points with his boot for Bristol.
Winning goodbye
The victory also meant a winning goodbye to Hill's back-row colleague Paul Gustard, who is also retiring, as well as director of rugby Alan Gaffney, who will be replaced by former Australia coach Eddie Jones next season, although he will stay involved in a consultancy role.
The clash was Saracens first at Milton Keynes after the game had to be switched from Vicarage Road because of Watford's involvement in the football Championship play-offs.
