Peel Thunder pick up win in Cunderdin

Hitting the road in one of the WAFL’s regional exhibits, Peel held off a late surge from the Demons to claim a 9.7 (61) to 10.12 (72) win.

Peel began the game with ferocity and accuracy, winning most of the battles around the ground and pacing themselves to a 15-point lead at the first quarter after kicking five straight goals.

Perth fought hard to match Peel around the ground with five scoring shots of their own, but three of theirs went through for behinds.

The Thunder continued to hit the scoreboard in the second quarter, registering another four goals.

Rory O’Brien was moving well through the ground while Matt de Boer was finding plenty of the football.

Peel’s solid play saw them go into the half-time break with a 34-59 lead.

But Perth refused to lie down easily, putting a halt to Peel’s scoring in the second half and injecting themselves into the match.

The Thunder was kept scoreless in the third term, but their team defence only allowed Perth one goal to keep the damage minimal.

But Peel got a scare when Perth came storming back in the fourth quarter.

The Demons upped their intensity around the ball and booted three goals for the term, but fortunately for the Thunder they stayed composed enough to nail a goal of their own and hang on for an 11-point win.

The win, Peel’s second in two weeks, gave encouraging signs for the Thunder.

Despite missing Fremantle players Zac Clarke and Shane Yarran from last week’s side that thumped East Fremantle, a number of players stepped up to help the side to the win.

O’Brien was his usual prolific self with 29 disposals while Fremantle-listed players de Boer (24 disposals) and Clancee Pearce (26 disposals) were damaging.

Brent Milward continued his promising form in the forward line. The youngster did not manage a goal but still had two scoring shots and four inside 50 deliveries.

Blair Bell kept his solid form rolling with 17 disposals and two goals, while Fremantle talent Michael Apeness moved well up forward and bagged two majors.

Peel now look toward a clash with Claremont, who sit in eighth on the ladder.