The visitors initially made light of the late withdrawals of back three men Luke Graham and Zach Clow – Oli Rhoads and Andrew Lamb their replacements – as Axel Kalling-Smith burst down the right before sending Morgan MacRae away for his ninth try of the season.
Mike Cooke landed the extras on his return to his former club, but Stortford replied strongly and following a spell of sustained pressure, Alex Gilham was able to dot down a chip ahead.
Full back Finn Keylock levelled matters, and his side were soon deservedly in front as Frazier Kiff powered over from close range for a converted score.
Despite having little territory or possession, the visitors got back on terms thanks to a penalty try, Kiff tripping Kalling-Smith as he went to ground his own kick behind the line.
Hosts surge clear either side of break
Bishop’s defied their numerical disadvantage as Jake Morris raced down the left despite the hint of a forward pass, and Rams were then temporarily reduced to 14 men after Lamb was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.
The hosts turned the screw as Isaac Bell rode a maul across the whitewash, and Keylock’s conversion made it 26-14 at the break – Stortford well worth their advantage having dominated the collisions and breakdown.
And they surged further clear as the excellent Tom Hitchcock, starting for the first time this season, scythed through for another converted try early in the second period.
Yet to their credit the visitors lifted themselves, two quick scores putting the result right back in the mix.
The first was a terrific effort, some lovely handling ending with Kalling-Smith setting-up Lamb for a smart finish on the right.
And soon after it was 33-24 as Army skipper Pete Austin went over at the back of a set-piece.
Rams lose their way – and the game
Yet with their tails up, Rams went into their shells against a side who looked rattled having lost their previous seven games.
A long-range Keylock penalty gave some added breathing room for Stortford, and despite MacRae grounding a dink over the top, Cooke’s unsuccessful conversion proved the last act of an entertaining affair.
Rams drop to sixth in the table despite collecting a brace of bonus-points, but will hope to return to winning ways at home to Plymouth Albion next Saturday (3pm).
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