Play wasn’t able to resume until 5pm on Saturday after morning rain left bowling run-ups at the northern and southern ends of the Latrobe Recreation Ground waterlogged.

Resuming at 1-8 in reply to Devonport’s first innings total of 126, the Demons suffered an early blow when Rhys French edged a Sam O’Mahony delivery straight to Cody Brown at third slip on the fifth ball of the day.

Star batsman Trent Keep joined opener Joel Salter at the crease, and together the pair began steady the ship with a 40-run partnership that also kept the scoreboard regulary ticking over.

But just as Latrobe looked to have gained the upper hand, the Orions made two vital breakthroughs thanks to Chris Lindsay.

The left-arm swing bowler rattled Salter’s stumps to dismiss him for 22 before striking again in his next over with the key wicket of Keep for 25 courtesy of a sharp catch by Sam Fogg at gully.

Semi-final hero Callan Morse (0 not out) and captain Tristan Weeks (4 not out) will start day three at 4-62, and despite not needing the runs to claim victory and the forecast of more rain, Weeks said it would be less than ideal if the game ended in a draw.

“It’s not the way you want to win or lose a game, but hopefully we can get a first innings result in whichever way it goes,” he said.

“It’s still a very even game at the moment – if Trent was still in it would probably be in our favour.”

Devonport captain Miles Barnard agreed with Weeks’ sentiments.

“I think the game is stil evenly poised – if we had of taken one more wicket I’d say we would be ahead, but if they lost one less then they would be favourites,” he said.

Play will resume at 10.30am on Sunday, weather permitting.

Minor premiers Devonport are in the box seat heading into the final day of the second grade grand final against Burnie after day one at the Devonport Oval was abandoned without a ball being bowled.