Champions Canterbury suffered only their second defeat of the season in National League 3 London & South East when they went down 35-24 at Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.

Canterbury started well enough, taking the lead through a Martyn Beaumont try but Andy Pratt's side then conceded 23 unanswered points, including tries from Nick Harris, Tom Coleman and Jimmy Rea, to trail 23-5 at the break.

Bishop's Stortford wrapped up the points, and fourth place in the final table, with further tries in the second half from Matt Chambers and John Stocker before Canterbury finally came to life in the closing stages to run in three tries through Paul Brown, Ricky Mackintosh and Peter Kelly.

The defeat meant Canterbury finished the campaign 15 points in front of second-placed Tonbridge Juddians, who clinched a play-off spot with their 8-8 home draw against Ampthill.