Greater Northern Raiders hosting South Hobart Sandy Bay in Cricket Tasmania Premier League

Making a rare appearance in the city of his birth, the former Launceston batsman looked at home at the NTCA Ground, recording the third double-century of the contest as South Hobart Sandy Bay forced a draw.

Doolan, who turns 35 at the end of this month, scored an unbeaten 210 off 256 deliveries in a six-hour knock featuring 28 boundaries.

While frustrated not to get over the line, Coyle was pleased to see Doolan getting back to the form that has seen him play 117 first-class matches including four Tests.

A week after Coyle's big-name recruits from Carlton Cricket Club, Evan Gulbis (226 not out off 199 deliveries) and Brayden Stepien (223 from 158), had shared the biggest partnership in Cricket Tasmania Premier League history (449) to put the Raiders in a commanding position, they needed to take nine more wickets to win.

Resuming at 1-41, 463 runs in arrears of the hosts' 4-504 total, the Sharks were soon in hot water.

Jonathon Chapman (3-63) made the early inroads. Despite facing nearly three overs, Max Denehey did not add to his score of 17, caught by Miles Barnard with just five more runs on the board, and when captain Sean Willis was clean bowled (26), the visitors were teetering at 3-59.

Doolan and Caleb Oakes steadied the ship, taking advantage of some wayward bowling to build a century partnership.

When the middle-order trio of Oakes (37), Tom Andrews and Rowan Shelton were all caught by Stepien in a spell of 3-15, the Raiders looked back on top.

But Doolan stood firm, finding strong support and another century stand in Tom Willoughby who equalled Oakes' tally of 37 but absorbed more than twice the number of deliveries to do so.

As the shadows lengthened, so did the odds on a home win and eventually the draw was called.

"We knew early wickets were the key and we had a good start," Coyle said.

"We picked up a couple in the first hour for less than 30 runs which was the plan.

"The little period before lunch was not great but I thought Chapman and Gulbis set the tone straight after lunch.

"But the key wicket was obviously Doolan."

After a one-day loss to North Hobart, a washout after a strong start against New Town and a disappointing two-day debut against Lindisfarne, Coyle said a first victory would have been particularly welcome going into a tough game against Clarence.

"They are committed to the cause and it would have done us a world of good.

"It's been a challenging year with the weather and unavailability of players. A bit of a roller-coaster one on a number of fronts for us but we've played some good cricket, as good as anyone in the comp, but the challenge is to strive for consistency whether it's 50 overs or a two-day game and we are getting there.

"Today we had a poor hour but adjusted well and that's the learning curve and a win would have been the culmination of the work the players have done so would have meant a lot to them."