Jordan Silk has helped Tasmania reach 3-98 at lunch on day three of their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Hobart, building a 155-run lead.
Silk's 51 put his side in the box seat to post an imposing target.
However, paceman Xavier Bartlett helped the table-topping Bulls fight back with two quick wickets late in Friday's morning session.
Silk and Mac Wright both edged deliveries to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson, falling in Bartlett's fifth and sixth over respectively.
First-innings centurion Caleb Jewell is four not out, while Jake Doran is unbeaten on five.
Queensland's attack has been weakened by the injury-enforced absence of Test squad members Mitchell Swepson (neck) and Michael Neser (hamstring).
Joe Burns, playing his first Shield game since being dumped from Australia's Test side, scored 171 in Queensland's first-innings total of 275.
