Daniel Hughes defiance falls short as Scott Boland secures victory

Scott Boland's superb early-season form ensured Victoria overcame a herculean effort from opener Daniel Hughes to secure their second victory of the season over New South Wales.

It took to inside the final hour until New South Wales' resistance was finally broken when Boland trapped Liam Hatcher lbw to break a ninth-wicket stand that had spanned 25 overs and then he soon removed the injured Trent Copeland to wrap up the match.

Hughes, who took numerous blows on the body and an additional one on the foot when James Pattinson hurled the ball back at him, was left unbeaten on 89 from 319 deliveries as he carried his bat. He was not dismissed by a bowler in the game having been run out in the first innings and in total faced 451 balls in the contest - the most in his career.

Victoria were strongly placed at the start of the day with New South Wales already three down but they could not break through in the morning session against Hughes and Jack Edwards although Hughes had a life when he was caught at short leg off a Pattinson no-ball.

However, after the break Boland - who has put his name in the frame for Australia selection - produced a beauty to take Edwards' off stump and quickly found the edge of Lachlan Hearne with some late movement. He thought he had Hughes moments later with a brute of a bouncer that was fended to slip but it was given not out with replays inconclusive.

Matt Short removed Sean Abbott moments before the new ball which was then shared by Boland and Pattinson. Late in the second session, Hughes played a delivery back to Pattinson who rocketed a throw into Hughes' boot which left the batter in pain and angry. Words were exchanged although tempers appeared to have calmed when players returned after the break.

Hughes and Peter Nevill ate into the final session before Mitch Perry trapped Nevil on the crease with one that nipped back. Perry struck again in his next over when Nathan Lyon clipped one firmly to short leg where James Seymour clung on with some help from his sweater.

At that point the result appeared a formality, but Hughes and Hatcher repelled the Victoria attack. Hughes attempted to farm the strike where he could while Hatcher withstood strongly until Boland had the final say.