A quickfire Mark Cosgrove half century helped Tasmania build their lead over NSW to 213 on day three of the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.

Cosgrove was unbeaten on 70 from just 85 balls as the Tigers reached a second innings 3-123 at tea on a dying pitch.

The burly opener hit 12 fours in a fluent knock as the home side built on a first innings lead of 90 after dismissing the Blues for 264.

NSW spinner Steve O’Keefe had 2-31 after picking up the key wickets of Test aspirants Ed Cowan (12) and Alex Doolan (17).

Cowan was caught behind by Peter Nevill while Doolan hit one straight to backward square leg and was caught by Gurinder Sandhu.

Doug Bollinger made the initial breakthrough, removing Jordan Silk, caught behind, for 12.

Earlier, Xavier Doherty took 3-37 to help the Tigers to first innings points.

Doherty was ably assisted by medium pacer Evan Gulbis, who grabbed 3-78.

Former Test paceman Trent Copeland (58) made a pitch for allrounder status with his side’s top score while Kurtis Patterson, who became the youngest player to make a Shield hundred two years ago, made 54 in his fourth first class match.