A vastly understrength NSW cast aside their last-match horror show to stay in contention for the Sheffield Shield final after a doughty day one showing against Queensland in Wollongong.
The Blues finished Saturday well-placed at 4-299, with Jason Sangha (81) and Lachlan Hearne (36) the not out batsmen.
Routed for a NSW-worst 32 as part of a 298-run loss in their last Shield outing, against Tasmania, the Blues had plenty to prove at North Dalton Park.
And they had to do so without a swathe of first-choice players including David Warner, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Moises Henriques (all IPL); as well as Josh Hazlewood (rested), Sean Abbott (injured) and Peter Nevill (personal leave).
Aided by an awful day for the Bulls in the field - with four very gettable catches dropped - the Blues mostly proved up to the task.
Daniel Hughes (74) and Matthew Gilkes (66) got the home side off to a perfect start, their 131-run stand the largest opening partnership for NSW this season.
Opening for the first time in a Shield game, Gilkes was dropped three times, but batted fluidly in between with eight boundaries.
Queensland grabbed three quick wickets in the space of 12 runs and Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne (1-8) chipped in with the scalp of Jack Edwards (37), but from there it was all the Blues.
Sangha passed 50 for the first time this season and looked well-placed for a ton while Hearne looked assured on debut.
Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett and the returning Mitch Swepson each grabbed a wicket for the Bulls.
A win by either team in this final-round fixture will put them through to the decider with hosting rights.
A draw opens the door for WA, who are playing Tasmania, to overtake both sides with a win while also claiming home-ground advantage.
The Blues would likely miss out completely in that scenario.
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