Josh Freestone’s second five-wicket haul of the season helped reduce the Shamrocks to 7-113 in the second session before the visitors clawed their way back into the game through experienced duo Richard Howe (42) and Kieren Hume. 

The pair put on 72 for the eighth wicket before Freestone returned to wrap up the innings for 192. 

South batted 28 overs for 2-62 to round out the day and leave Howe’s Shamrocks very much in the game.

“Fortunately Kieren batted really well and we were able to wrestle back a little bit of ascendancy there in the second session,” Howe said.

“I thought the bowlers toiled away pretty well there – they didn’t create a lot of chances but I think the pressure was there on the batsmen.

“[They’re chasing] 130 next week - if you can come out and take a couple of quick wickets and get into their middle order ... we’ll see what happens.”

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Jackson Young proved a handy foil for Freestone with 2-29, while Jeremy Jackson (2-72) picked up two big scalps on his birthday. 

But the 2016-17 Ricky Ponting Medallist was in a league of his own, taking 5-44 to reach 34 for the season and stretch his lead in the league’s bowling charts to 13.

“Joshy’s just so consistent and I can always rely on him, to throw him the ball and he’s just got a knack of getting a wicket,” South Launceston captain Tom Waller said. 

“He got the big wicket of Dane [Anderson] today and came back after lunch and took three pretty quick wickets to put them on the back foot.

“He’s in pretty good form and it’s great having him back this year.”

Jackson (10) and James Lee (4) are the not-out batsmen with Jared Mason and Will Donald (1-4 off eight) Westbury’s wicket-takers.