The Archers shot out of the blocks with two tries in the opening seven minutes courtesy of new Harlequins wing Roma Zheng and Porter Goodrum.
Two Ross McKay penalties edged them in front 16-13 at the break and he added three more in the second half, while also improving a Vikas Meijer try. Then came Sam Trodd’s winning effort with the last play of the match.
The hosts had Cobi Green at the double along with tries from Josh Williams and Cole Morgan, but they had to settle for two bonus points. That allowed former Championship winners Bargoed to take over as the new leaders.
The Bulls ran in eight tries on their way to a crushing 53-18 victory at Glamorgan Wanderers. Rhys Thomas bagged two, while others came from Morgan Powell, Ashley Norton, Morgan Thomas, Dai Evans, Matthew Lewis and Owain Cooper.
Penallta picked up their first win on the road since gaining promotion – and how – as they inflicted a crushing 55-19 home defeat on Bedwas. Centre Laurence Pritchard’s hat-trick inspired the Pitmen who also had Daf Rees (2), Geraint Dallimore and Lewis Stevens among their scorers.
Cross Keys edged out Beddau 28-24 while St Peters got the better of winless Treorchy 39-12.
In Championship West, leaders Brecon remain two points clear after their 55-14 home defeat of Bonymaen. Ollie Lewis and Sam Jones bagged braces while Ewan Williams, Jake Crockett, Alwyn Lee and Logan McIntosh completed a resounding win.
Narberth remain just two points back after they won the big clash of the day in Pembrokeshire, 39-24 at Crymych. Ilan Hazzelby-Phillips scored a hat-trick and there were other tries from Lewys Gibby and Sion Jones for the Otters.
Llangennech (36-18) and Dunvant (22-21) beat Tata Steel and Newcastle Emlyn respectively for their fourth wins in five, while Trebanos are off the mark with their 29-20 victory at Ammanford.
