NSW's push for a Sheffield Shield final berth is likely to go down to the wire despite collecting a handy first-innings lead at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
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Tasmania's stout resistance was finally broken during the afternoon session on day three with the home side dismissed for 255, 120 runs in arrears of the Blues on the first innings.
By tea, NSW had advanced to 0-67 off 19 overs for an overall lead of 187.
The Blues, however, have only four more sessions remaining to earn the win needed to guarantee a spot in next week's final against Victoria.
At 5-232, Tasmania were threatening to block out NSW's hope before paceman Trent Copeland ran through the tail.
Copeland ended with figures of 6-88 as the Tigers lost their final five wickets for 23.
Earlier, in-form duo Alex Doolan and Matthew Wade provided some stout resistance with scores of 72 and 34 respectively.
No.6 Ben McDermott held things together after the pair's departure, scoring his fourth half-century of the season before he was last man out for 53.
Copeland and Harry Conway were both on hat-tricks at one stage, with the latter returning 2-44.
Tasmania resumed after a rain-affected day two at 2-117, scoring slowly to reach 5-199 after an elongated morning session.
Australian Associated Press
