Missed Chances Allow Opponents To Snatch Last Gap Draw
Rugby Result: Hertford 17 – 17 Wimbledon
Paul Hendry breaks the defensive line after sustained pressure. Picture: Wimbledon Rugby
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 last week’s match against Maidenhead. It must be said though that Hertford’s defence was much harder to break than the previous opponent's.
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 no.10 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 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’ fullback 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 no.10 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 fullback touched down out wide and Lloyd’s long range conversion levelled the score.
This result leaves Wimbledon in second place in the league, a point behind Havant, the only unbeaten side, who Wimbledon take on at home on 16 October. Next week they are at home to Westcombe Park.
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September 21, 2021