A century from in-form opener Ryan Carters has led NSW to a come-from-behind six-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Tasmania at Bellerive.

Carters’ stunning form in first class cricket continued as he made a neat 100 to lead the Blues to a comprehensive final day victory that had looked unlikely midway through day three.

The 23-year-old smacked 10 boundaries on a tricky wicket as NSW reached their target of 4-255 shortly after tea.

Scott Henry (76no) and Nic Maddinson (43) played the support roles as the Blues retained top spot on the Shield ladder.

Carters made 94 and 40 against the touring English in a Sydney Ashes warm-up match last month.

He was averaging 92.5 in Shield cricket this season before the Bellerive match after scores of 154 and 67 in his previous game against Queensland at the SCG.

On a wearing deck that played the odd trick, the Blues rarely looked like faltering when they resumed at 0-43 against a Tigers attack missing Ben Hilfenhaus, who aggravated a side strain on Saturday.

Carters and Maddinson put on 83 before the left-hander miscued a drive straight to Ed Cowan at mid-off from the bowling of Luke Butterworth (1-54).

Carters and Henry then put on 138 until the century-maker was lbw to Sam Rainbird (3-52) at 2-221.

Rainbird found himself on a hat-trick when he bowled Ben Rohrer (0) with his next ball, but Kurtis Patterson (4) survived a big lbw shout before holing out on the stroke of tea at 4-233.

A victory had looked unlikely when Tasmania claimed first innings points with a lead of 90 and were 3-123 in their second dig.

But a dramatic collapse of 7-29 left the home side all out for 164 in their second innings late on day three.