The Black Caps have already claimed first innings points over the Demons, while the Orions posted a competitive total and claimed five Blues wickets before stumps.

Sheffield and the Burnie Hurricanes shared the day 1 honours.

At Latrobe Recreation Ground, Black Caps’ veterans Damien Devries (4-47) and Brent Munday (3-21) restricted Latrobe to a modest first innings total of 139.

The Demons slumped to 7-64, but late innings contributions from Chris Boon (40) and Dion Parsons (21) helped to double their score.

Ulverstone then batted through the rest of the day. 

Darren Banham (91 not out) and Sam Perko (30 not out) shared in an unbeaten 97-run fourth wicket partnership to guide the visitors to 3-160 and a 21-run lead.

Sheffield won the toss and batted first at home to the Burnie Hurricanes.

After a shaky start, the Mountaineers posted a competitive total of 200 thanks to a 98-run fourth wicket partnership between brothers Gary (82) and Richard Miles (41).

Hurricanes veteran Adam Drinkwell returned to his best bowling form with 5-15 from 10 overs.

The visitors faced 26 overs to close out the day, finishing at 1-68.

Nick Revell (32 not out) and Brodie Hayes (28 not out) are set to resume their innings next week.

Devonport batted first at Wynyard Showgrounds, posting 197 thanks to half centuries from Anish Paraam (65) and Brent Mullett (50).

At one stage, the Orions seemed poised for a score in excess of 250, but an outstanding bowling performance from Blues captain Kade Bellinger (6-37) forced the loss of the Orions’ last five wickets for 19 runs.

Wynyard then made a horror start to its innings, slumping to 5-35 at the close of play, with Sam Fogg and Jackson Saggers claiming two wickets each.

Gregg Sharman (12 not out) and Darcey Brazendale (0 not out) will have the job ahead of them when play resumes next Saturday.

​Week One

Batting –

Darren Banham (Ulverstone) 91 not out 

Gary Miles (Sheffield) 82 

Anish Paraam (Devonport) 65

Chris Boon (Latrobe) 40

Bowling –

Kade Bellinger (Wynyard) 6-37,

Adam Drinkwell (Burnie Hurricanes) 5-15,

Damien Devries (Ulverstone) 4-47

Brent Munday (Ulverstone) 3-21