Having made his A-grade debut in the T20s before Christmas, the right-hander batted nearly three hours to lead the Blues to 5-159.

But the rest of Riverside's innings lasted less than seven overs as Josh Freestone (4-37) and Jackson Young (3-34) inflicted a run of 4-0 to see the home side bowled out for 168.

"It was a really mature innings from Ben," Blues captain Tom Garwood said.

"He knew his game - picked his boundaries, waited for the bad ball and picked up the ones and twos."

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Riverside struck early with the ball and before long Sam Lockett (2-28) and Lyndon Stubbs (2-22) had South floundering at 5-58.

A 72-run stand between Sean Harris and Jeremy Jackson (21) squared the ledger before the former added a crucial 22 runs with Anders Bulow to position the Knights at 6-152 - just 17 runs off first-innings points.

Fifteen fours and a six left Harris (91*) needing nine more runs on Sunday morning to complete his second ton of the season.

"It's still game on," Garwood said. "We lost five for nothing so we're coming with a red-hot attitude tomorrow to take a few early wickets and get a win."

At Invermay Park it was the Ethan Conway show as LAUNCESTON powered to a commanding position against Mowbray.

Joined at the crease by James Curran (56) at 5-114, Conway posted his fourth 50 of the season before going on to notch a maiden A-grade ton.

His 110 was the backbone of Launceston's 8-293 with Sam Freeman (3-104) the pick of the Eagles' bowlers.

"It was unbelievable the feeling," the 19-year-old said post-match.

"I didn't actually know what I was on - I thought I was on 70 or 80 so it was a bit of a surprise when they started clapping.

"It was really good to bat with James for a while, we played against each other in school cricket quite a bit. It was good to be on the same team because he normally gets me out."

Lion Daniel Smith returned from a one-month injury layoff and put the cherry on Launceston's innings with a 13-ball 28 that featured three sixes.

The big-hitting quick's good day lasted until the opening delivery of Mowbray's innings when Sam Canny nicked off for a golden duck.

Smith, however, was forced to give his remaining five balls to Tom McShane with an injury ensuring he would not bowl again as Luke Scott and Will Dakin saw the Eagles reach stumps at 1-15.

Both games continue at 10.30am.

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