North Meath’s perfect start to the season continued on Sunday with another bonus point win, this time against Ardee. The local derby was also a battle of the two teams at the top of the table but it was an emphatic victory for the Meath men.

Despite having most of the ball, it took 20 minutes for the home team to register their first score- a penalty from scrum half Conor Grey.

Unfortunately North Meath had lost two of their players to injury in that time with flanker Henry Armstrong and hooker Adam Deighan going off,.

Fly-half Ben Wiseman then went close with a fine run from his own half and looked destined to score with just a man to beat, only to be hauled back inches from the line.

But the first try was not long after. A crossfield kick from Wiseman was not dealt with and winger Ivan Mostert was able to ground the ball for the score. Grey slotted the conversion from the touchline.

A second try came soon after, following good work from the pack and some clinical finishing from the pack with full back Jordan Herring scoring in the corner, making it 15-0 at half-time.

North Meath then started the second half strongly. Ivan Mostert got his second of the game when he was given the ball in space inside the 22 and there was simply no stopping him.

No stopping

Wiseman was next on the scoresheet finishing off a lovely move with a burst of pace that cut through the Ardee face.

By now, the flood gates threatened to open. Brian O’Connor was next to dot down for his first try for North Meath. The icing on the cake was provided by young Patrick Farnham, also scoring his debut try for the senior team.

While the backs bagged most of the glory with the tries, there were strong performances from the pack, notably Killian Flanagan, Dennis Canon and Cailum Kiernan.

The result leaves North Meath six points clear of the chasing pack after only three games. Again, injuries were the only blight on a successful afternoon and the club hopes for a speedy recovery for both Armstrong and Deighan.

Team: Jordan Herring, Ruben Mostert, Cian Doogan, Eanna Finn, Ivan Mostert, Ben Wiseman, Conor Grey, Padraic McGurl, Killian Flanagan, Sean Gilsenan, Graham Boland, Denis Canon, Curtis Hunter, Henry Armstrong, Senan McDermott

Replacements: Adam Deighan, Sam Bashford, Cailum Kiernan, Nathan Kiernan, Andrew Monaghan, Brian O'Connor, Patrick Farnham, Sean Moriaty

Tries: Mostert I (2), Herring, Wiseman, O’Connor, Farnham

Cons: Grey (2)

Pen: Grey

Pics courtesy of Mark Wiseman