Stowmarket became the first side to deny Holt victory at home in the league this season as the top two in London 3NE did battle on Saturday.

It took eight minutes before Allen put Holt ahead with a penalty, but the visitors hit back with an unconverted try.

Holt came straight back at their visitors and following some quick thinking by Young, at a quickly taken throw in, scored an unconverted try to regain the lead at 8-5.

The hosts then scored an excellent try through Jarry-Ryan, which was converted by Allen to increase the lead to 15-5 after 32 minutes and five minutes later they added a penalty.

Holt lost a player to the sin bin and following the ensuing penalty, the visitors narrowed the gap on the stroke of half time with a converted try, to make it 18-12 at the break.

Following early pressure in the second half, Stowmarket scored a converted try after five minutes to regain the lead.

Holt scored next when Howick passed to Jarry-Ryan and he raced up field from his own half to score another excellent try.

With Allen adding the points, Holt led 25-19 with over 20 minutes remaining. Stowmarket converted a penalty three minutes later to reduce Holt's lead to 25-22 and another penalty at the death left it all-square.