A final hour fightback by the Retravision Warriors has given the home side a slight edge after day one of the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match against the PKF Tasmanian Tigers at the WACA Ground.
The visitors were cruising at 3-208 before losing 5-46 as the Warriors' paceman made use of the second new ball to see Tasmania go to stumps at 8-254.
Paceman Steve Magoffin was the best of the Warriors bowlers, taking 4-40 in 24.3 overs, including a late burst of 3-5 which turned the match back in his team's favour.
After former WA and Australian wicket-keeper Ryan Campbell presented baggy gold caps to debutantes Michael Swart and Nathan Coulter-Nile, Warriors Captain Marcus North won the toss and chose to bowl on a wicket with plenty of grass, however the Tigers were able to negotiate the early stages of the match safely.
The reliable Brad Knowles made the breakthrough, trapping Rhett Lockyear in front for 29 and ending a 67-run opening stand with Ed Cowan.
The former New South Welshman, one of the leading batsmen in interstate cricket this summer, carried on with the job alongside Alex Doolan. Their second wicket partnership of 49 was broken by Magoffin, who snared the vital wicket of Cowan, caught behind by Luke Ronchi for 57.
Doolan fell in a similar manner to the bowling of Michae Hogan for 53, and Couler-Nile picked up his maiden first-class wicket by removing the dangerous Tigers' Captain George Bailey (58) as the pendulum began to swing back in the Warriors' favour.
Magoffin then stepped up to the plate to send Daniel Marsh (21), Brendan Drew (three) and Adam Griffith (no score) - the latter in the final over of the day - to ensure WA claimed opening day honours.
Knowles also claimed his second wicket of the day among the late carnage, that of Xavier Doherty for four, to finish with 2-41 from 17 overs. Hogan (1-67) and Coulter-Nile (1-76) were the other successful bowlers.
Tigers and Australian limited-overs wicket-keeper Tim Paine survived a dropped batch when he was on four and was unbeaten on 24 at the close of play. He will resume tomorrow morning with Tim MacDonald and holds the key to their hopes of pushing past 300 and posting a healthy first innings total.
Play commences at the WACA Ground at 10.30am and can be heard live and exclusively on Sport FM 91.3, with updates through ABC Radio Grandstand.
