Rugby union: Wimbledon held 17-17 at Hertford in latest London & SE Premier League action

A draw was probably the right result, although Wimbledon might reflect on the missed opportunities they created during sustained periods of territory and possession – not unlike their previous match against Maidenhead. It must be said though that Hertford’s defence was much harder to break down.

As seems to be the pattern with Dons this season, they scored early on after pressure produced good ball from the pack, quickly spread wide to centre Paul Hendry, who crashed over in the corner.

A penalty goal from Hertford’s number Ben Lloyd, a former Wimbledon player, narrowed the gap to 3-5, but further forwards pressure from Dons just before half time brought a try for lock Jack Cooke to put them 3-10 ahead.

After the interval a series of penalties against Wimbledon kept the home team well into the Dons’ half and a quick tap and go produced a second try for Lloyd which he converted with ease to level the score.

A good counter-attack from his own 22 by Dons’ full-back Charlie Maskrey started a move which ended with the ball in Ollie Kitto’s hands and the winger sped into the corner for try number three. A fine conversion from Steve Boatman put Wimbledon seven points clear.

But in the last play of the game Dons’ wing Tom Milner was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, which probably prevented a Hertford try, and from the ensuing quickly-taken tap penalty the Hertford full-back touched down out wide and Lloyd’s long range conversion levelled the score.

This result leaves Wimbledon second in the league, a point behind Havant, the only unbeaten side. The Dons are at home to Westcombe Park on Saturday.