Dominant morning with ball on day three has Tasmania well on top against ladder leader NSW

Tasmania’s attack has shone in the first session on day three, working its way into NSW’s lower order as it strives to keep a run chase as low as possible at Blundstone Arena.

Tigers bowler Game Bell celebrates dismissing Blues batsman Matthew Gilkes for 15 runs on day 2 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the NSW Blues at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

TASMANIA is motoring towards Sheffield Shield victory after storming through NSW’s middle order in the opening session of day three at Blundstone Arena.

The Tigers reduced the Blues to 7-181 at lunch, holding an overall lead of 106, after carrying the momentum from the crucial late breakthrough last night into this morning.

Gabe Bell picked up the vital scalp of Kurtis Patterson 20 minutes before stumps and teammate Sam Rainbird only needed five overs this morning to snare the other established batsman in Daniel Solway.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 08: Sam Rainbird of Tasmania celebrates taking the wicket of Daniel Solway of New South Wales during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and New South Wales at Blundstone Arena on March 08, 2020 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Solway handed Rainbird his first wicket of the match when he edged behind for 41, with the visitors still only 39 runs ahead.

Daniel Solway of New South Wales leaves the field after being dismissed for 41 runs during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and New South Wales at Blundstone Arena on March 08, 2020 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The hosts then further turned the screws when Matt Gilkes chopped Bell back onto his stumps attempting to pull a short ball.

NSW limped to 5-131 at drinks and should have lost Jack Edwards immediately after the break when he edged Rainbird straight to Beau Webster at second slip, only for the opportunity to be split.

However next over Ben McDermott made no mistake at first slip to help send Blues skipper Peter Nevill back to the sheds when he clung to a low chance off Lawrence Neil-Smith (2-17).

Nathan Ellis bowls on day 3 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the NSW Blues at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

McDermott pocketed the offering despite gloveman Tim Paine diving across in front of him.

Nathan Ellis then capped a commanding session when he had Sean Abbott plumb LBW on the last ball before lunch.

Abbott had made his intentions clear in moving briskly to 35 from only 40 balls, stemming the bleeding alongside Edwards (15 not out) with a 50-run stand before failing to get his bat on a full delivery speared at his pads.

Tasmania’s remote hopes of reaching the Shield final hinge on securing outright wins in its remaining two contents, as well as needing other results to fall its way.