Season-leading Sheffield Shield wicket-taker Nathan Lyon got the early breakthrough as Queensland chipped away at the NSW total on day two in Wollongong.
Lyon (1-22) had former Australian teammate Joe Burns caught behind for 15 as the Bulls moved to 1-68 at tea in response to the Blues’ 381 at North Dalton Park.
Bryce Street (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (27) were the not out batsmen for the Bulls.
With both teams pushing for an outright result to ensure a spot in the Shield final and hosting rights, the match is well poised.
Spinner Lyon has picked up 34 wickets for the season and looks set to finish the competition with the most dismissals, particularly if the Blues make the final.
Teammate Jason Sangha scored his third first-class century as NSW set up a strong first-innings total.
After a lean season where he hadn’t cracked a 50 in the competition, Sangha (103) stood up when it counted.
With the Blues resuming at 4-299, the wickets came steadily for the Bulls as the hosts chased some quick runs to polish off the innings.
But it didn’t stop Sangha from reaching his milestone, the 21-year-old moving from 81 overnight before eventually mis-timing a drive to Matt Renshaw off the bowling of Brendan Doggett.
Sangha clubbed 15 fours in his 202-ball stay.
Doggett was the outstanding bowler with 4-79 with Xavier Bartlett and the returning Mitch Swepson each picking up two wickets.