Coming off the back of two outright losses and in early trouble at 5-12, Cardiff-Boolaroo were staring down the barrel of another tough afternoon.
However, the CBs fought back against Newcastle City at Learmonth Oval on Saturday and are now within reach of claiming their first win of the 2020-21 season.
No.8 Thomas Maher top scored with 65 to help the visitors recover and make 148 before leaving the Sabres 5-84 at stumps on day one of the last two-day fixture before the Christmas break.
"We lost six or seven wickets in the first hour which put us under a lot of pressure," Cardiff-Boolaroo captain Matt Willett said.
"So it didn't leave us much cover, but we managed to recover and post a pretty challenging total."
CBs were still without Rahul Bakshi (elbow) and Jonty Dicks (illness) but Maher, who only debuted in firsts around this time last summer, was the mainstay. He arrived at the crease at 6-38 and left at 9-129.
"He [Maher] made the most of it," the skipper said.
Willett (2-10) then struck twice later on. City are 64 runs behind.
"I've got every confidence in the boys now because at the moment bowling has been our strength," he said.
"We've been able to keep sides under 200 but scoring runs has been an issue."
Elsewhere in round eight and Stockton have put themselves in the frame against Wallsend at Lynn Oval, needing four more wickets to secure first-innings points with a lead of 121 runs.
Seagulls captain Nick Foster, who will again front the NSW Country squad next month, reached 67 and steered the hosts to 174 despite the best efforts of Tigers seamer Pat Magann (5-63). Wallsend are 6-53 in reply with Tom O'Neill (4-20) doing most of the damage.
Wests and Toronto both posted 300-plus totals, putting them in the driver's seat against Belmont and University respectively.
Undefeated leaders Wests racked up a season-high 8-381 from their 90 overs with all batsmen getting to double figures at Harker Oval. James King (75), Joseph Price (69) and Ben Chew (58) each scored fifties.
Two century partnerships were the highlight of Toronto's dig at Ron Hill Oval, Ben Roberts (82) and Brendon Charlton (58) put on 126 for the fifth wicket while Logan Johnson (76) and Michael Muller (29) took the tally from 7-190 to 8-292. They were eventually dismissed for 306. Uni are 0-6.
Ed Nott (6-27) recorded his best figures at Hamilton-Wickham, knocking over six Charlestown players in a row at Kahibah Oval. The Magpies had been 3-98 before the leg-spinner triggered a collapse. The hosts were all out for 146 with the Pumas 1-78 in reply.
Merewether already have six competition points in the bag, 34 runs ahead of Waratah-Mayfield with one wicket in hand. The Lions, who lost 4-3 and 4-9 at various stages, finished at 9-146 after rolling through the home side for 112.
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