Defiant innings from young Victorians Jon Moss and Michael Klinger were not enough to stop Western Australia gaining a slight advantage at stumps on day one of their Pura Cup match.

The Bushrangers crawled to 6-226 on a WACA pitch showing large green patches with the run rate barely keeping above two an over all day.

Moss, 26, remained unbeaten on 60 with Victorian captain Paul Reiffel yet to score after the Bushrangers struggled to gain any real momentum throughout the day.

It appeared from the outset that Reiffel's decision to bat was a poor one after Victoria slipped to 3-60 just before lunch with Jason Arnberger (2), Matthew Mott (15) and Matthew Elliott (30) all back in the pavilion.

Debutant quick Michael Clark (2-41) shone for the home team in the opening session with the former AFL player picking up openers Arnberger and Elliott.

Kade Harvey (2-53) was the other wicket taker in the first session removing Mott for 15.

But Brad Hodge and 21-year-old Klinger appeared to be turning the visitors' innings around before spin bowler Brad Hogg trapped Hodge in front for 32.

Klinger and Moss then put on a 64-run partnership before Klinger's 189-minute knock came to an end on 58 midway through the final session.

His 181-ball innings finished when he was caught flashing a cover drive to Michael Hussey for Harvey's second wicket to leave the Vics at 5-169.

Darren Berry was the last man out for the day, after surviving a confident caught behind appeal off the bowling of Clark. He was out for 20.

Simon Katich took the neat catch in slips off the bowling of quick Matthew Nicholson (1-51).

Moss, who's looking to make his first century in the four-day game tomorrow said it was hard work out in the middle.

"It was enjoyable to get away on that wicket, it wasn't too bad, but they were bowling well so we had to just work a bit harder," Moss said.

"I would definitely love to go on with it (and reach a hundred) but I have to get myself in again tomorrow.

"I just hope we can make as many as we can."

© 2002 AAP