NSW all-rounder Moises Henriques has backed up his stellar century by breaking a stubborn partnership between Western Australia’s Marsh brothers in the Sheffield Shield final in Canberra.

WA have reached tea on day three with a first-innings score of 6-134, with Mitchell Marsh leading the way for his side 56 not out on a flat Manuka Oval deck.

And while the rot might have stopped after their five-wicket batting collapse, WA still trail NSW’s first innings of 447 by an imposing 313 runs.

Following their disastrous day two, WA battled through the first two sessions on Sunday by scraping together 119 runs for the loss of just two wickets.

Marsh put on a dogged sixth wicket stand of 98 with older brother and recently dropped Test batsman Shaun Marsh (40) until Henriques (1-36) broke through lbw.

The wicket has brought WA’s last recognised batsman keeper Sam Whiteman (10 not out) to the crease, and the duo face an almost impossible task to get their team back in the game.

Mitchell Marsh looked run out on the second last ball before tea when he was involved in a mid-pitch mix-up with Whiteman, but received a lifeline as Ryan Carters fumbled at the stumps.

WA started their innings in the worst possible fashion late on Saturday, losing two wickets in the first two balls courtesy of an on-song Josh Hazlewood (4-40).

The Warriors were reduced to 5-23 early on Sunday morning, when Hazlewood had Ryan Duffield caught behind by keeper Peter Neville.

It was Hazlewood’s fourth wicket of the match, and he also claimed the key scalp of Shield player of the year Marcus North (2) with a tight run out late on day two.

NSW’s dominant position was set up by a classy knock from Test squad all-rounder Henriques, who recorded just his third first-class century with a patient 140 runs off 316 balls.

NSW only need to draw to win the Shield for the first time since 2008, while WA must win to lift the trophy it last hoisted 15 years ago.