Western Australia are closing in on victory at lunch on day three of their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the WACA Ground.
Searching for an outright win that would earn them hosting rights for next Thursday's final, WA have Victoria reeling at 7-140, still 83 runs behind with three wickets in hand.
But the Vics won't throw in the towel, with Sam Harper still at the crease having made 15 off 102 balls.
The visitors resumed day three at 5-82 - still needing 142 runs to make WA bat again - and lost Mitch Perry early for three.
They stabilised through Matt Short and Harper who added 51 for the seventh wicket as they looked to cling on to top spot on the ladder.
But Short eventually holed out at point off Aaron Hardie's bowling for 35, although the patient Harper and Jame Pattison (zero off 19 balls) made lunch.
For WA, Joel Paris is on fire with the ball having taken 3-31.
Thursday's decider is almost certain to be rematch of this week's contest, with Victoria likely to hold on to second spot even with a loss.
If they do, they will need to lift in all areas of the game to challenge WA after being rolled for 114 in their first innings, while the hosts looked far more assured at the crease posting 337.
