A generous declaration has set up a well-poised final day at the SCG as NSW and Tasmania joust for crucial Sheffield Shield points.
Tasmania ended day three at 1-19, requiring another 271 runs for victory.
The Tigers faced a challenging 14-over spell to end the day suffering the loss of Caleb Jewell in the process, with the opener trapped lbw by Chris Tremain (1-5) for a second ball duck.
Perhaps mindful that showers are predicted in Sydney on Monday, NSW declared their first innings closed during the final session at 9-226 to set a victory target of 290 off 110 overs.
Half-centuries from Matthew Gilkes and Jason Sangha were the backbone of the NSW innings.
Opener Gilkes was dropped three times but hopes of a maiden Shield ton evaporated when he missed a Tom Andrews delivery and was bowled for 64, ending a 115-ball stay at the crease.
Ryan Hackney (9) and skipper Kurtis Patterson (5) fell cheaply to leave the Blues on edge at 2-36, but a watchful Sangha helped steadied the ship.
Sangha struck a patient 75 in a 178-ball innings and was only one of only two batsman to pass 20.
Left-arm spinner Andrews claimed his wicket with Sangha appeared visibly disappointed to be adjudged caught at bat pad.
Andrews (3-69) and Beau Webster (3-40) returned the best figures for the Tigers' bowling attack that constantly managed to keep the lid on the home side's run-rate.
A win for NSW will create a five-way charge for a spot in next month's Shield final, with only South Australia likely out of contention.
