BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

A brave and gallant performance from Claremont’s Reserves saw the Tigers fall just short of East Perth at Leederville Oval, with the Royals prevailing by four points in blustery conditions.

Despite kicking three goals to one in the final term and pushing for victory in the closing stages, the Tigers suffered costly lapses during the game and were pipped 10.6 (66) to 9.8 (62).

The Tigers have now lost consecutive games and have a lot of work to do in order to salvage their season, but they will embrace the challenge and confront it head-on.

Emerging midfielder Ben Elliott won best player for his prolific performance, which included an appetite for the contest and an unwavering work rate, while wingman Corey Hitchcock kicked a game-high three goals and won praise and the players’ player award for his repeat efforts and willingness to put his body on the line.

Emerging defender Marc Boyatzis continued his rapid rise on the back of another solid performance, while Tom Curren and Tom Ledger were other strong performers.

Meanwhile, wingman Cameron Anderson and defender Luke Knight made their debuts.

With forwards Alex Manuel (two goals), Jordon Reid and Kade Lines also among the inclusions, the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground and into the howling breeze in the opening term, however, the Royals kicked the opening two goals despite promising starts from Claremont captain Tom Lee and Ledger.

Reid then laid a crunching tackle that won him a free kick and forward Matt Spoors benefited from a fortunate bounce to kick the Tigers’ first goal, before the Royals kicked three consecutive goals to take a 23-point lead at quarter-time.

Claremont coach Ryan Mackenzie praised Elliott for his strong start but urged the Tigers to increase their communication and gain composure, before Hitchcock split the middle with a brilliant finish from the pocket in the early stages of the second term.

Midfielder Jake Anderson then made the Royals pay for an errant kick-in before Max Spyvee roved brilliantly and kicked the Tigers’ fourth goal to trim the margin to just three points at half-time.

However, the Royals replied with three consecutive goals to start the second half and extended their lead to 22 points, before a desperate smother from Claremont defender Bill Reilly forced a throw-in.

Another goal from the Royals made the margin 31 points, before repeat efforts from Hitchcock allowed the prolific Tiger to make the most of a squaring pass from forward Ed McGinty.

Fellow forward Lines then laid a team-lifting tackle at half-back that won him a free kick, before Manuel kicked his first goal and defender Jack Buller hauled in a strong mark at half-back.

This pulled the Tigers to within 19 points at the final change, with Mackenzie urging them to go at the game and use the corridor.

A goal from the Royals early in the final term made the Tigers’ challenge even tougher, before Manuel kicked his second goal after laying a ferocious tackle inside 50.

Hitchcock then split the middle from 50m before Lee snapped the Tigers’ ninth goal to trim the margin to just six points, before a strong mark from Ben Rushforth at half-back denied the Royals.

However, despite the Tigers pushing for victory and adding two late behinds, the Royals held on for a narrow win.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts remain unbeaten after defeating East Perth by 40 points, 12.6 (78) to 5.8 (38), while Claremont suffered a one-point defeat against East Fremantle in the WAFLW, 3.6 (24) to 3.5 (23).

The Tigers host Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium in round six.

CLAREMONT 1.2 4.5 6.5 9.8 (62)

EAST PERTH 5.1 5.2 9.6 10.6 (66)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 C. Hitchcock, 2 A. Manuel, 1 T. Lee, J. Anderson, M. Spyvee, M. Spoors.

EAST PERTH: 2 B. McGuire, J. Turner, 1 J. Ameduri, M. Dobson, H. Sparks, J. Underwood, D. Rowe, J. Ladhams.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Elliott, C. Hitchcock, M. Boyatzis, T. Curren, T. Ledger.

EAST PERTH: S. McKenzie, M. Dobson, D. Rowe, T. Amos.