France sevens internationals Tavite Veredamu and Jean-Pascal Barraque both crossed the whitewash in Clermont's Top 14 victory over bottom side Agen on Saturday, but it was not enough to ensure a winning bonus point. Fijian-born Veredamu and centre Barraque joined the club on short-term deals ahead of the new domestic campaign with the World Rugby Sevens Series on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Clermont, who were knocked out of the European Champions Cup quarter-finals at home by Racing 92 two weeks ago, move up to second in the Top 14 table with the win at their Stade Marcel Michelin despite missing out on the bonus point while Agen remain winless after three matches. "It's a drawback. It's the frustrating thing from the match, we should have scored at the start of the second half to kill off the match," Clermont captain Alexandre Lapandry said. The hosts led 14-0 after 20 minutes as Veredamu crashed over, followed by a second try from Samoan No 8 Fritz Lee, France international fly-half Camille Lopez adding two conversions. Lopez slotted a penalty before setting Barraque up for his first Clermont try with a delicate chip kick just after half an hour. The visitors cut the lead to 24-7 as South African lock Jeremy Jordaan opened his account for the club just before the break. Agen's Samoan back JJ Taulagi further closed the gap with a try 15 minutes into the second half despite some impressive home pressure before the hosts were awarded a penalty try as replacement Hugo Verdu was pinned at a ruck. Despite comfortably leading with a quarter of the game to play Franck Azema's side failed to claim a bonus point but moved within two of leaders Racing. Elsewhere, Castres' trip to Montpellier and Racing's visit of La Rochelle have been postponed due to Covid-19 cases. The weekend rounds up on Sunday with Cheslin Kolbe's Toulouse hosting Toulon, without fellow World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth who is suffering from a rib injury. On Friday, Bayonne beat Stade Francais 26-19 in Paris while Brive edged Pau 19-13 in an ill-tempered match that saw three red cards brandished. iwd/lp