Tasmania’s middle order showed plenty of resistance as they opened up the Sheffield Shield cricket clash against NSW with a tea time declaration.

Replying to the Blues’ first innings score of 442, the Tigers were reeling at 5-123 early on day three at Bankstown Oval.

Three stubborn partnerships helped them avoid any risk of being asked to follow on and captain Tim Paine declared at tea at 8-298, a 144-run deficit.

Luke Butterworth (65 not out) batted throughout the session after Paine (23) and James Faulkner (28) started the fightback with a 31-run sixth-wicket stand before lunch.

Butterworth then added 40 with James Faulkner (28) and 88 with Jason Krejza (48).

Resuming on Friday at 3-111, the Tigers lost 3-69 from 38 overs in a marathon two-and-a-half-hour session caused by the premature end of Thursday’s play.

NSW took control after dismissing Aiden Blizzard (7) and Mark Cosgrove'(84) in successive overs.

The Tigers were much more enterprising in the middle session, adding 118, with Butterworth and Krejza both playing some fine attacking shots.

Doug Bollinger (3-60) and fellow pacemen Trent Copeland (2-66) and Josh Hazlewood (2-62) claimed most of the wickets with wrist spinner Steve Smith 1-16) striking with just his second delivery of the season.