Ben Hilfenhaus took a career-best 7 for 58 in his ninth first-class match to consign New South Wales to an emphatic defeat at the Bellerive Oval. Tasmania, who joined the Blues and South Australia in last spot on 20 points, thumped NSW by an innings and 55 runs to win with a day to spare - even despite the rain breaks.
The first two sessions of the day were completely washed out, but when play resumed Tasmania - in particular the 22-year-old Hilfenhaus - worked their way through the Blues with ease, taking the last seven wickets for 41. The fast-medium bowler Hilfenhaus ended with a match haul of 10 for 87 to confirm his potential and upset the Blues' hopes of defending the Pura Cup in the final.
The day started badly for NSW as they lost Aaron O'Brien first ball. Adam Griffith picked up the wicket, with the batsman squirting to Brendan Drew at mid-on. Then Hilfenhaus got in on the act, removing Brad Haddin for 13 when he edged through to Sean Clingeleffer. It was Hilfenhaus' third wicket of the innings and Dominic Thornely fell in an identical way ten overs later, leaving NSW in trouble at 6 for 144. They were soon put out of their misery, losing their final four wickets for only 13 runs. Game over.