In ordinary conditions, the Blues trailed by two points at quarter-time, led by 16 points at half-time and 18 at the last change and held off a North Hobart side that pressed hard in the final quarter to run out winners 10.8 (68) to 9.4 (58).

Launceston worked hard to set up its win with a four-goal to one second quarter to open up a 17-point buffer just before half-time.

A three-goal burst in the first half of the third term including two goals to Tim Bristow and one to Kurt McCabe saw the margin blow out to 30 points - the biggest of the game - and the Blues looked on top.

But North Hobart kicked two goals late in the quarter to Billy Howard and Julian Dobosz to cut the deficit to 18 points heading into the last.

In a final term slogfest, Tom Allwright goaled in the first minute of the final term to bring the Demons to within 12 points before a Majak Miar mark and goal at the four-minute mark gave the Blues breathing space.

Dobosz soccered his third for the game through at the 21-minute mark for North Hobart to close the gap to 11 points.

A Larry Owen free kick and 50-metre penalty brought him to within 20m of goal for a shot to cut the margin to four in time-on but he missed a goal he should have kicked and the Blues held on for a hard-fought win.

Launceston coach Anthony Taylor praised the gutsy effort heading into the break saying ``everyone worked hard and put their noses over it when it counted.''

``I thought given the conditions and weather it wasn't a bad game,'' Taylor said.

``We moved the footy well a few times, controlled the game for most of the day and were the better side.

``They got pretty close at the end but I was confident we controlled most of the play.

``It was tough out there but to come out on top we really appreciate wins like that.''

Kurt McCabe showed he is getting back to his best form with another best on ground performance for the Blues.

Beau Green was outstanding across half-back, Michael Sinclair, Sonny Whiting, Corey Sheppard, Jordan Harris and Dan Ellis were all good contributors and Sam O'Keefe did a good job nullifying North Hobart ball magnet Zane Murphy.

North Hobart coach Lance Spaulding was happy with his team's effort for three quarters.

``We got a bit ahead of ourselves in the second and let them control the game,'' he said.

``In what was meant to be an arm-wrestle all day we let them get the break that proved decisive in the end.''