The Chiefs are all but out of this year's Super 12 competition after a 24-8 defeat at the hands of the Sharks at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.
The four tries to two victory to the Sharks puts them firmly back at the top of the Super 12 points table.
Tries early
in the match to Brent Moyle and Charl van Rensburg gave the Sharks a 12-0 lead, while the Chiefs could only reply with a Glen Jackson penalty.
Halfback Craig Davidson added to the Sharks' total to make it 19-3 at half-time.
It was better news for the Chiefs early in the second half with winger Roger Randle notching up his 100th first class try to peg the score back to 19-8.
But a try to Sharks wing Stefan Terblanche eight minutes from full-time sealed the Chiefs' fate.
The home side looked to make a late charge, only to have a try disallowed five minutes from full-time.
