It was more of a mud pit than a jungle, but Claremont emerged as kings of the WAFL’s big cats after holding off Subiaco by seven points.

In conditions that couldn’t be mastered but rather dealt with, the Tigers handled the sludge slightly better at Leederville Oval to prevail 5.5 (35) to 4.4 (28).

With skills unable to called on, it was never going to be the sort of contest that ended up in the archives. But the Tigers scratched and clawed away for four quarters to earn back-to-back victories over Subiaco for the first time since 2014 and improve their season record to 9-4.

The result wasn’t seriously under threat until late in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers would have thought it was close to sealed when Timm House kicked the first of the final quarter, punishing a risky cross-goal switch to give his side a game-high 20-point lead.

But the rain finally arrived late as Ben Sokol gave Subiaco the smallest glimmer of hope with back-to-back goals in the final five minutes as the game lifted in intensity.

Both sides tried to keep things simply but Claremont did so more efficiently, winning key territory and desire indicators inside-50s (44-34), tackles (81-80) and disposals (337-303).

Jye Bolton (26 touches, eight inside-50s) and Ryan Lim (32 and five tackles) were the most prolific pair, on the ground, making their presence felt through the midfield as the Tigers gradually built a defendable lead.

Subiaco could only kick one goal each half, struggling to benefit from the consistent output of Stefan Giro (22 touches, seven tackles) and Liam Hickmott (21 and 10 tackles).

It was going to take some individual brilliance to break the deadlock and Jack Buller delivered exactly that 10 minutes into the second quarter.

The key forward harnessed agility usually not seen from players who push two metres, gathering the ball off the deck and nailing a checkside snap from close to the boundary, his first of two goals.

It came as the Tigers clicked into the conditions, sending the ball forward with more intensity than they did in the first quarter.

Buller later linked up with Bolton, the latter hitting Buller just outside 50 then powering on to receive an overlap handball and slam home Claremont’s third and see out the first half.

Harrison Marsh opened proceedings in the first quarter, kicking Subiaco’s sole goal of the first half out of congestion.

But tall Kieran Gowdie got the instant reply for Claremont as both sides gradually adapted to the arm-wrestle.

SCOREBOARD

CLAREMONT: 1.1, 3.2, 4.5, 5.5 (35)

SUBIACO: 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 4.4 (28)

Goals – CLAREMONT: J Buller 2, K Gowdie, J Bolton, T House.

SUBIACO: B Sokol 2, H Marsh, B Matera.

Best – CLAREMONT: R Lim, J Bolton, J Buller, B Edwards, R O’Connor, L Martinis.

SUBIACO: L Hickmott, S Giro, L Kitchin, L Putt, A Dewar, I Clinch.

Injuries – NIL

Umpires: J Kerr, K Titterton, C Spencer. Crowd: About 700 at Leederville Oval.