Grant cashes in for Stormers

Peter Grant scored a try and kicked 13 points as the Stormers returned to the top of the Super Rugby table with a 23-13 win over defending champions Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

The Reds enjoyed plenty of ball at Suncorp Stadium but were smothered by a stiff Stormers defence who rebounded from defeat to Canterbury Crusaders last time out to make it seven wins from eight this season.

The two-try win moved them ahead of the Waikato Chiefs, who can return to the summit when they play away to the Sharks on Saturday. Queensland are second in the Australian Conference after their fourth defeat in eight matches.

The Reds lost fly-half Sam Lanein the fifth minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, and centre Ben Tapuai was also forced off by injury shortly afterwards.

As Tapuai left the field, the Reds were already 10-0 down after Stormers winger Gio Aplon was the recipient of a Grant off-load to score the South Africans' first try.

End to end

Grant, who opened the scoring with a second-minute penalty, slotted over the conversion and then scored a try himself as the Stormers went the length of the field after Lane's replacement Ben Lucas missed a penalty attempt.

Prop Steven Kitshoff made a break and, after a number of phases, Grant collected the ball, slipped past Radike Samo and dived under a couple of tackles to score the Stormers' second try in the 37th minute.

Grant again converted as the visitors went in at half-time 17-3 ahead.

The Reds started the second half brighter and their early pressure was rewarded with a 61st minute try by captain James Horwill after a rare Stormers error.

The lock claimed a stray lineout throw by Stormers replacement hooker Deon Fourie to crash over from close range.

Centre Mike Harris knocked over the conversion to cut the lead to 10 points as the Reds took hold of the encounter.

Harris kicked a second penalty to cut the deficit to seven points with two minutes left but Grant slotted another penalty just before the final whistle to seal victory.