NSW prised out a patient Ricky Ponting for 34, as Tasmania’s pursuit of 343 for outright victory hit some hurdles on Saturday.
Tasmania were 4-157 at tea on the final day at Bankstown Oval, requiring another 186 off a maximum of 42 overs.
Given bad light ended play prematurely on all of the previous three days, there appeared little chance Tasmania would get the full quota.
Aiden Blizzard (43) and captain Tim Paine (six) were set to resume the Tigers chase after tea.
Ponting struck just two boundaries in his 66-ball innings and seemed content to steadily accumulate.
His innings ended when he edged an attempted pull shot to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off paceman Doug Bollinger (1-33).
The persistent all-international Blues attack toiled hard for three wickets in a middle session in which Tasmania added 132 off 37 overs.
After dismissing Test opener Ed Cowan (8) before lunch, NSW seamer Trent Copeland had Alex Doolan (21) stumped smartly down the legside by Haddin.
Ponting and Mark Cosgrove built a promising 60-run third-wicket partnership on the easy paced pitch.
However, as he did in his first innings 84, Cosgrove threw his hand away with a careless shot, with Moises Henriques (1-13) striking with his first ball of the innings.
Earlier NSW captain Michael Clarke declared at six for 198, with Nick Maddinson (86) and Henriques (50 not out) the main contributors.
Paceman Jackson Bird (3-46) was Tasmania’s most successful bowler and finished with six scalps on his old home ground.