Western Australian were 2-45 in reply to Queensland’s 164 at tea on Friday’s second day of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground.

The Warriors lost the wickets of Liam Davis for five and John Rogers for 12 early in their innings, with opener Marcus Harris not out 22 and captain Adam Voges yet to score.

The home side were just 120 shy of claiming first-innings points.

Both teams need to win the match to be a chance of making the Shield final and, at tea, on what is effectively day one of a three-day match, it is WA who look the only side in the running.

This is despite some hearty bowling from Ryan Harris (1-9 from six overs) and captain James Hopes (1-4 from five).

However, fellow seamers Michael Neser (0-5 from two) and Ronan McDonald (0-26 from three) looked non-threatening and, for the home side, Michael Hussey, Mitch Marsh and Sam Whiteman were still to bat.

Earlier, Burt Cockley led the way with the ball for WA taking four wickets, as only Luke Pomersbach offered much fight with 57 against his former side before the Bulls were all out.

After the opening day was washed out, the game started on the morning of day two with Voges having no hesitation electing to bowl first after he won the toss.

Greg Moller made a solid start for the Bulls opening the batting and making 14 before he became the first wicket to fall when caught at slip by Michael Hussey off the bowling of Cockley.

Peter Forrest has had a horror run of late with the bat, failing to score in his past three innings, and he was lucky to get off the mark again when he was dropped at slip by Marsh second ball.

It didn’t prove too costly as he was the next wicket to fall for just eight when caught behind by Sam Whiteman off Michael Hogan.

Queensland were 2-41 and then 3-58 when Nathan Reardon came and went for seven.

Pomersbach was looking good, though, and brought up his half-century with a six over the sightscreen off Agar.

However, shortly after, he was trapped in front by Ryan Duffield for 57 with Queensland 4-113 at the break with Joe Burns and Chris Hartley surviving to lunch.

The interval halted Burns’ momentum and he fell in the second over back for 25 caught by Voges at first slip off Duffield.

Queensland then kept losing wickets cheaply with Hartley making just six, Hopes 12, Neser six, Nathan Hauritz 11 and Harris 15.

Cockley continued his strong form since returning from career-threatening knee injuries to finish with 4-50 while Duffield took 2-53, Hogan 2-18 and Marsh 2-23.