Brodie Hayes carries bat to give Raiders hope

Facing a South Hobart-Sandy Bay side featuring three first-class players in Simon Milenko, Hamish Kingston and Sean Willis, the Raiders slumped to 4-53 as that same trio combined for three wickets and two catches.

But a stand of 92 brought the visitors back in the game as Mowbray veteran John LeFevre (51 off 86) registered his first half-century as a Raider.

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Helpful contributions from Ethan Conway (31) and debutant off-spinner Eli Sheean (20) at number 10 helped the Raiders make 221 from 82 overs with Milenko (4-45) the pick of the Sharks bowlers.

Raiders coach Andy Gower praised Hayes for making back-to-back 70s and taking his season average into the 60s.

"To bat the innings right through today was an outstanding effort," Gower said.

"It was good to fight out today - at times when we lose early wickets we tend to fold and post a low total, so today was good to bat with Haysey and see us through to a score that was competitive."

Both picked for their first game of the season, 21-year-old Sheean and 36-year-old LeFevre looked as comfortable at the crease as any of their teammates.

Gower was pleased both could translate their Cricket North-West and North form into performing at a higher level.

"At times we looked like we could build partnerships - John LeFevre batted beautifully throughout the middle and Eli at the end nearly got [Hayes] through to his hundred," Gower said.

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"[LeFevre] came in off really good form getting 81 last week and he's had a really good year for Mowbray this year.

"It makes a bit of a difference when you come in with a bit of form under your belt - he took the game up to them today and batted beautifully."

There was enough time at the end of the day for one of LeFevre's Eagles teammates to make his mark in Raiders colours.

Also picked to debut this round, Jono Jones collected 2-10 off five overs to leave the Sharks 2-23 at stumps.

Captain Willis and Caedence Kuepper will return to the crease on Sunday morning with Kingston and Milenko still to bat.

"We had 12 overs to bowl today and we wanted to try and take one wicket and to get two wickets was fantastic," Gower said.

"For Jono to get two wickets on debut was a brilliant effort and Woody [Ollie Wood[ complemented him and Eli bowled one over at the end, so good signs for [Sunday]."

Play will resume at 10.30am.