Sharks' tempo too hot to handle

SHARKS coach JP Pietersen praised his players for sticking to a high-tempo game plan that eventually wore Clermont down in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup clash at Kings Park.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

There was little to separate the teams at the break, and the match seemed to be heading for another tight finish in 'The Tank, but the home team ran the visitors ragged in an eight-try blitz, completely shutting Clermont out in the second half.

Pietersen said the foundation for the comprehensive 50-12 victory had been laid in the first period.

"It was a nervy start in the beginning, 14-12 at halftime. I think it's just part of the game. I think the starting team did the job, which was to make Clermont tired and play with a tempo," he said at the post-match media conference.