Clermont pick off Perpignan
Perpignan were given a hiding for a second consecutive week in Top 14 action, going down 39-3 to high-flying Clermont.
Last Updated: 22/10/11 10:10am
Perpignan were given a hiding for a second consecutive week in Top 14 action, going down 39-3 to high-flying Clermont.
After being hammered 38-0 in Toulon last time out, Perpignan had hoped for better on their return to Stade Aime Giral.
However they were totally outplayed in front of their own fans, leaking five tries whilst failing to score one themselves for the third straight outing.
The 2010 champions were in rampant form on their travels, recording their seventh triumph in eight games.
The bonus-point win takes Clermont provisionally back to the top of the standings, four points clear of Castres, who face Montpellier on Saturday.
The visitors led 22-3 at half time thanks to tries from young full-back Jean-Marcellin Buttin, Scotland lock Nathan Hines and Fijian wing Kini Murimurivalu.
Full-back Jerome Porical's early penalty was the only reply the Catalans could muster.
There was more to come after the break as replacement loose forward Alexandre Lapandry scored with his first touch of the ball.
Winger Noa Nakaitaci cruised over in the final minute to add the icing to the Clermont cake. David Skrela landed three conversions with Brock James also kicking one.
