North Meath took a big and meaningful step towards the Leinster league title on Sunday with a hard-earned but emphatic win against local rivals Ardee.

The match was played in abysmal weather. In fact so poor were the conditions across the province that the game between Midland Warriors and Ratoath finished 0-0 after 80 grueling and rain soaked minutes.

Keen to avoid another scoreless draw, North Meath got themselves on the scoreboard relatively early with two penalties from Conor Grey.

The first try of the game followed soon after when vice-captain and inside centre Cian Doogan made a neat line break on the 22 and was able to run in under the posts to make it 13-0 to the visitors.

Given the severe amount of rainfall, it was inevitable that there would be some knock-ons in the game. Unfortunately a knock-on came straight from the restart, giving Ardee a scrum just five metres out from the North Meath line.

After sustained pressure and a number of phases, the home team went over in the corner, bringing themselves back into the contest.

As the rain continued to pour, chances to play free-flowing rugby were few and far between. However, North Meath were able to ensure they had most of the ball and restrict Ardee to scraps of possession and territory.

But it was unclear where the next try might come from

And then scrum-half Louis Finnegan used his initiative and took a quick tap penalty. Catching both sides entirely unaware, he was able to run the ball in under the posts, untouched from 40 metres out.

This try was then followed by another, scored by Senan McDermott in the corner after some neat interplay between backs and forwards. Grey converted, making the final score 25-5 to North Meath.

It was then time to repair to the bar, with Christmas jumpers all round.

The result leaves North Meath top of the table with a double digit gap and two games left to play in January. A win at home to Clane on January 15th would seal a well-deserved title.

Team: Oisin McDermott, Andrew Monaghan, Cian Doogan, Senan McDermott, Ruben Mostert, Conor Grey, Louis Finnegan, Jack Yore, Sean Gilsenan, Padraic McGurl, Eoghan Cosgrave, Dennis Cannon, Eoin Briody, Ciaran Cullen, Paddy Farnan

Replacements: Ben Wiseman, Sam Bashford, Hugh Briody Jnr, Nathan Kiernan, Simon Deevy, Ben Shine

Tries: Doogan, Finnegan, McDermott

Cons: Grey (2)

Pen: Grey (2)