By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves returned to the winners’ list with a 34-point defeat of Peel Thunder in bitterly cold and wet conditions at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The 8.17 (65) to 4.7 (31) result saw the Tigers record their ninth win of the season, move one win clear in second position on the ladder and close to within one win of first-placed South Fremantle, who they host in round 16.

Despite leading by just two points at quarter-time, with the football replicating a bar of soap and goals at a premium, the Tigers kicked two goals to nil in the second term, before adding five more after half-time in one of the team’s best wins of the season.

21 more inside 50s, 14 more scoring shots and seven goal kickers to three reflected Claremont’s dominance going forward, however, 110 tackles highlighted the Tigers’ intent and appetite for the contest, led by Jacob Sideris, who laid 15 and kicked one goal.

Cameron Quenby was superb from start to finish with his attack on the ball, 22 disposals (18 contested), 12 tackles and five inside 50s, which saw him win the players’ player award, while Brett Wilson (two goals) displayed courage and set the tone with his repeat efforts.

Luke Maddock was a rock in defence, while Aaron Holt (eight tackles), who suffered a foot injury against West Perth seven days earlier, showed his experience and composure in trying conditions.

Lachlan Martinis finished with a game-high 28 disposals, while Jack Blaauw was rewarded for his outstanding Colts form with a debut and responded with 20.

The win was also achieved despite Jack Richardson (League) being a late withdrawal, leaving the Tigers one short on the interchange.

An early goal to Corey Mitchell saw the Tigers pounce, before a free-kick saw Peel reply through Brett Milward.

An inspiring chase and tackle by Declan Hardisty was a sign of things to come from Claremont, before a goal-saving touch by Martinis saw the Tigers take a slender advantage at the first change.

Ben Delaporte then extended the buffer, before Kaiden Gilbert showed tremendous composure at ground-level to snap the Tigers’ third goal.

The result was a 16-point lead at half-time, before Lucas Humphreys kicked Peel’s first goal since the seven-minute mark of the opening term to see the hosts strike first in the second half.

Sideris then snapped truly from a throw-in, before a courageous mark by Wilson, running with the flight of the ball, gave the Tigers consecutive goals and a 27-point lead at the final change.

Despite a second to Milward early in the final term, goals to Wilson (second), Matthew Ehlers and Bailey Bennett saw Claremont prevail.

The Tigers will aim to record consecutive wins and draw level with South Fremantle when the teams meet at Claremont Oval on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts also returned to the winners’ list with an 11-point defeat of Peel Thunder, 5.8 (38) to 3.9 (27).

CLAREMONT 1.5 3.10 5.16 8.17 (65)

PEEL THUNDER 1.3 1.6 2.7 4.7 (31)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 B. Wilson, 1 B. Bennett, M. Ehlers, C. Mitchell, B. Delaporte, J. Sideris, K. Gilbert.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 B. Milward, 1 M. Bennell, L. Humphreys.

BEST

CLAREMONT: C. Quenby, B. Wilson, L. Maddock, A. Holt, L. Martinis.

PEEL THUNDER: B. Milward, R. Wight, J. Perry, A. Victor, J. Janzekovic.