Conceding first-innings points after an innings of just 123, the Lions fought back on the second day, piling on 6-314 declared in just 61 overs before coming within two wickets of an unlikely outright victory.

The result netted the Lions a crucial 7.57 points, narrowing third-placed Riverside's buffer to little more than three points ahead of a final round clash with South Launceston.

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"It was probably up there with our best day of cricket for the year, so we know we can play at a really high standard against a good opposition," said Taylor, who scored a career-high 172 off 163 balls.

"We thought we blew a bit of a chance but we had a good second week and all the bonus points you receive from scoring runs and taking wickets certainly helped - the amount of points we got out of the game was almost as many as you get for a win in a funny way.

"I didn't realise and I don't think many of the boys realised how close we were - we kind of thought at the end of week two we weren't in with a really good chance.

'We still have to win to be a chance - and probably need a result to go our way as well - but we've given ourselves half a chance and we're going to try and take it."

The Knights are also in good form, however, having recently defeated Mowbray and settled for a draw with Westbury after rain spoiled a likely home win.

Top spot remains on the table for Tom Waller's men, who are determined to keep improving in the lead-up to finals.

"Obviously there's a bit of a carrot dangling there for us that if we win and win pretty well we might be able to finish top, but we just want to keep building towards playing our best cricket at a finals time," Waller said.

The Knights will welcome back Sean Harris to the side that bowled Mowbray out for 309 last weekend with Josh Freestone collecting a career-best 6-81.

"Josh taking six-for was probably our standout and Jacko [Young] bowled really well," Waller said.

"I think Graham [Donaldson] is doing a good job at the top with the new ball as well so hopefully we can keep building."

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