PERTH, Dec 10 AAP - A defiant Western Australia was trying to stop Tasmania's march towards its first outright Pura Cup win of the season at the WACA Ground today.

The Warriors were 3-135 in their second innings at stumps on day three, a lead of eight runs, with Murray Goodwin (42no) and debutant Adam Voges (30no) at the crease.

Chunky Tasmanian middle order batsman Daniel Marsh (88) earlier guided the visitors to their first four-day points of the season and a total of 382, a lead of 127 runs.

The Warriors started brightly in their quest to reduce the sizeable deficit being 0-50 at tea.

But opener Scott Meuleman (13) lasted just four deliveries in the final session before being caught behind off Damien Wright's bowling.

Opening partner Chris Rogers (48) continued his aggressive intent smashing left-arm orthodox spinner Xavier Doherty for consecutive boundaries before the youngster had him edging a ball back onto the stumps.

And the 20-year-old Doherty was celebrating soon again condemning Marcus North (0) to a pair after he forced a scooped return catch.

Since being called up for Australia A against England in Hobart last month, the promising 23-year-old North's form has deserted him in registering scores of 0, 2, 0 and 0.

However Goodwin and Voges steadied the innings with an unbeaten half century stand for the fourth wicket.

After resuming at 4-253, Scott Mason and Marsh ensured the Tigers collected the two points following a barren run of four matches for last year's runners-up.

They were barely troubled by a WA pace attack minus quicks Brad Williams and Matthew Nicholson on a good batting strip.

They put on 114 for the fifth wicket before Mason's career-best knock of 60 ended when he top-edged an attempted pull to Meuleman at square leg off captain Jo Angel's bowling.

And the Warriors looked like they were getting back into the match when the highly-rated Sean Clingeleffer continued his woeful summer with the bat, edging a Harvey delivery to the slips for a duck.

But the home team should have had the visitors on the slide from 4-311 to 7-314 -- Angel failing to capitalise on an opportunity to run Wright out for a duck.

With Wright struggling to make his ground, the tall veteran took an eternity to pick up the ball and return it to Harvey at the stumps.

By the time the ball had arrived Wright had just made his ground.

Wilson was finally rewarded for his hard work with three of the last four wickets after lunch including the pesky Marsh (88).

The right-hander swiped his bat against the ground after falling just a dozen runs short of a well deserved century.

Left-arm swing bowler Michael Clark (3-82), allrounder Kade Harvey (3-83) and quick Paul Wilson (3-108) shared the spoils.

In some welcome news for the Warriors, quick Matthew Nicholson has been cleared to resume training after sustaining an unusual arm injury in last Friday's ING Cup match.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.