Veteran Rohan Pooley (63) and under-15 state player Spencer Hayes (37) catapulted the Eagles from 5-102 to a defendable 203 after Jakeb Morris (3-31 off 16) and Rowan Smith (2-29) made early inroads. 

Launceston made it to 0-66 before losing three wickets late in the day – all LBW to Freeman brothers Jarrod and Sam – and will resume next week at 3-71. 

“We felt we probably left ourselves 50 runs short with the bat,” Mowbray captain-coach John LeFevre said. 

“We weren’t able to get that one or two people to get that big, big score and extra partnership to get us those runs where we’d be in a much more comfortable position.

“We were a bit disappointed with how we we bowled early, but after drinks to be able to get three quick wickets really brings us back into the game.

“To show that fight when things easily could have gone the other way is really pleasing.”

Like LeFevre, Lions leader Alistair Taylor wasn’t overly satisfied with his side’s efforts. 

The wicketkeeper-batsman finished the day two not out with Zac Oldenhof due to come in next. 

“We bowled a lot of four balls which released any pressure we built up,” Taylor said.

“It was one of those bowling performances where we weren’t too happy with it – to bowl them out for 200 on a pretty good wicket was a good effort but I think we bowled into their hands a little bit.”

Cam Lynch and Lachie Newland enjoyed the Lions’ biggest opening partnership of the season to date before both fell to Jarrod Freeman for 32.  

“It was a really good opening partnership so it was a bit disappointing we let them in the game with three late wickets at the end of the day, it would have been nice to have only been one down one or two.

“They took the shine off the new ball which is what you love from an opening partnership.”

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