NSW are working towards first-innings points on the second day of the season-opening Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

At lunch on the second day, the Blues were 2-105 in their first innings, in reply to WA’s 217.

The Blues needed another 113 runs to take first-innings points, with rookie opener Scott Henry on 39 and Australian captain Michael Clarke on 21, the pair having added 51.

Henry, in just his third first-class game, had generally looked very solid, although he was tested by former Test quick Mitchell Johnson early in the day and had a life on 16, when Adam Voges dropped him at first slip from the bowling of Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Clarke, who made just one in Sunday’s limited overs clash between the sides, looked in good touch early in his innings.

The Blues were in control, despite the loss of two wickets in three balls midway through the day’s first session.

Former Queensland paceman Nathan Rimmington (2-39) removed opener Peter Nevill (34) and Nic Maddinson (0) in quick succession as the home side fought back.

Rimmington ended a 54-run opening stand by trapping Nevill LBW, and then two balls later Maddison got a fine edge to a loose delivery down leg side, offering former Tasmanian wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt his first Shield scalp for his adopted state.