A clinical performance from NSW paceman Trent Copeland has put the Blues on the path towards victory in their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

At lunch on day three, the Warriors were battling at 4-111 in their second innings, still requiring a further 30 runs to make NSW bat again after the Blues posted 358 in reply to WA’s first-innings dig of 217.

Warriors opener Liam Davis (46no) and new recruit Tom Triffitt (30no) have combined for a valuable 43-run stand, but the pair need to score plenty more runs if WA are to set NSW a challenging victory total.

Copeland (3-24 off 10 overs) started WA’s rot when he trapped opener Marcus Harris in front for 10, and the Warriors were in further strife when Shaun Marsh (3) edged spinner Steve O’Keefe to slip.

Davis put up some good resistance, and at one point cracked Doug Bollinger for a four and a six off consecutive balls.

But the rest of WA’s top order fell meekly, with Copeland finding the edge of both Marcus North (11) and Mitch Marsh (10) as the Warriors slumped to 4-68 before Davis and Triffitt came to the rescue.

Adam Voges wasn’t able to bat at his usual spot of No.5 after injuring his back while fielding on Wednesday.