The hosts made a dream start as Alfie Orchard converted Sam Bryan’s third-minute score, only for the leaders to hit back with a Dylan Flashman effort.

Benji Marfo’s try pushed Park three points up, but a converted try from Joss Linney gave Stortford a 14-10 half-time lead.

He doubled his tally before Charlie Piper crossed for the visitors, Harry Leonard’s conversion cutting the gap to 19-17.

However, a stunning surge from Bishop’s saw them score 17 unanswered points thanks to a Harry Charter double and a Josh Stannard touchdown, the latter converted by Orchard, which ultimately won them the game.

Piper grabbed a late second, again added to by Leonard, to salvage a try bonus-point for Park.

Caldy cut the lead at the top to five points, albeit Rosslyn Park have a game in hand, with a magnificent 40-7 victory at Darlington Mowden Park.

It was DMP who took a 10th-minute lead when Callum Mackenzie crossed the whitewash, Warren Seals adding the extras, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.

A penalty try and a Nathan Rushton score, converted by Ben Jones, pushed in-form Caldy 14-7 up at the break, and a second-half double from Adam Aigbokhae along with tries from Ollie Hearn and Lucas Titherington ensured a comfortable success.

Jones added three further conversions, while the hosts also had Freddie Lockwood sent off late on.

Third-placed Sale overcame an early red card for Dan Birchall to edge past home side Leeds Tykes 17-13.

The visitors made a perfect start when James Robins converted Jack Metcalf’s early try, but two Charlie Venables penalties cut the gap to a point.

Despite Birchall’s 22nd-minute exit, Robins added the extras to a Jake Barron score to make it 14-6 to the Dogs at half-time.

Tykes hit back midway through the second period as Venables slotted a conversion following Harry Robinson’s try, but Sale held firm and sealed the deal when Robins kicked a penalty with the last play of the game.

Cinderford returned to winning ways with a convincing 41-5 home success against bottom side Tonbridge Juddians.

A Reece Boughton kick and a penalty try gave the Foresters a 10-0 advantage before Luke Boon halved the deficit by crossing the whitewash for TJs.

That, however, proved to be their only points as Ed Sheldon dotted down before the break and a Harry Hone double, a second penalty try and a score from Jack Preece, supplemented by a couple of Boughton conversions following the interval, ensured a comfortable home win.

Cambridge’s sensational form continued with a 21-10 victory at Birmingham Moseley.

A penalty try and a score from Joe Tarrant, added to by Harry Johnston, gave the Blood and Sand a 14-0 half-time lead.

Kieran Frost went over on 55 minutes, Johnston again converting, to all but make the game safe, and despite tries from Jack Coombes and Greg Fisilau, the visitors held on for the win.

Blackheath put in a solid display to overcome visitors Chinnor 25-15.

A Kieran Goss try gave the away side the lead at the end of the first quarter, only for Club to hit back immediately as Jake Hennessy converted Jake Lloyd’s score.

Ben Manning went over for Chinnor before a Hennessy penalty left the sides locked together at 10-10 at the break, but it was Club who came out firing as Lloyd doubled his tally.

Hennessy’s conversion opened up a seven-point lead, only for Freddie Tuilagi to grab Chinnor’s third try.

However, Hennessy added the extras to his own score at the end of the third quarter, and after a pointless final 22 minutes, Blackheath were well worth their win.

Rams, meanwhile, produced their best performance of the season in beating Taunton Titans 43-19.