The Waratahs on Saturday edged out a spirited Stormers side 26-25 in a nailbiting Super 12 encounter at Newlands in Cape Town.

The match was balanced on a knife's edge for the full 80 minutes and the 40 000 people who attended the game got good value for their money. It was an entertaining match with some breathtaking movements from both sides, who were not averse to giving the ball air.

In the end it was a drop goal from Waratahs centre Nathan Grey that separated the two sides after the home supporters thought their side had clinched the victory when replacement wing Gus Theron scored a try in the 76th minute.

Grey, however, had plans of his own and when Marius Goosen's clearance kick failed to go intotouch, the Wallaby centre coolly slotted a match-winning drop goal from a ruck.

After going into the break 14-20 behind, the Stormers threw everything into attack in the second half. At times they ran the Waratahs ragged, but the visitors had enough gas left in their tank to thwart several threatening moves, especially late in the second half.

Bob Dwyer's charges are now second on the log on nine points, behind defending champions the Brumbies, who also have nine but boast a superior points' difference. The visitors laid the foundation for the win in the first half, when the forwards took charge of proceedings and had the home side on the back foot.

The Stormers came charging back in the second half, with lock Hottie Louw, flankers Hendrik Gerber and Corne Krige and hooker Tjoepie van den Heever leading the assault. At the back De Wet Barry had a huge game and was always a threat, while Johannes Conradie enhanced his growing reputation at scrumhalf.

Scorers:

Stormers - Tries: Johannes Conradie, Gus Theron; Penalties: Marius Goosen (4); Drop goal: Goosen.

Waratahs - Tries: Matthew Burke, Nathan Grey; Conversions: Burke (2); Penalties: Burke (3); Drop goal: Grey.