Hooker shows kicking skills to win £250k

Wednesday 18 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
Guinness Premiership > Saracens

Saracens fans will all have enjoyed their trip to Wembley to see their team beat the world champions on Tuesday - but Stuart Tinner had more reason to head home with a smile on his face than any other supporter.

Stuart overshadowed Sarries' performance when he won £250,000 by displaying his own rugby skills at half-time.

He was one of three spectators invited to take part in the Crossbar Challenge, which offered the six-figure prize to anyone who could hit the crossbar with a 30-metre kick.

The prizes aren't normally in danger of being won when fans are given the opportunity to take part in half-time skills contests, but organisers obviously underestimated a man who, according to the BBC, plays hooker for a local club side in Hertfordshire.

Stuart stepped up and smashed his kick against the crossbar, before celebrating with the Sarries cheerleaders - not the kind of behaviour usually associated with members of the front row union!

The hooker described the £250,000 win as amazing, but added: "It won't change me; I'm still going to work in the morning - but what a night it has been."

Saracens' clash with South Africa was almost as exciting. The Springboks led 18-6 at half-time, but the hosts fought back to claim a nail-biting 24-23 win.

The world champions have now lost all three games on their European tour, having already slipped to defeats against a largely second-string Leicester Tigers side and in last weekend's Test in France.