The Students battled hard to make 203, after being 6/100, with Karthik (67) and Shaun Thompson (16) adding 72 to lead a lower-order fightback

  Uni probably should have made more runs after skipper James Chappell (30) and Michael Waldren (25) put on an opening stand of 50 before Troy Coleman (3-70) and Wes Van Kempen (3-23) got the Lions back in the game.

 But Kurt Majoor’s 3/17, off seven overs turned the game in Uni’s favour, with Keira in trouble at 5/75.

‘‘We’re going for an  outright but first have to win first innings,’’ Chappell said.

 ‘‘The bowling was a big improvement. Kurt had it swinging about and took the first three wickets. Vijay batted the best I’ve seen him all season and his knock lifted us above 200.’’

  With just two more rounds before the semi-finals Uni are sixth (32 points) and 10 points - more than one first innings result - behind fourth-placed Balgownie,  while second-placed Keira started the round only a point behind Corrimal.

  In other games, Wollongong are on top against Port Kembla in the battle likely to decide the wooden spoon.

  Wollongong don’t want the spoon for a second straight season and despite a disastrous start losing 2/0 in the first over to Jason Ralston (4/51) the home side rallied to post 176.

 Sameer Murthy made an unbeaten 54 and Tim Laws 58 after arriving at 2/0. Dan Lee also took 4-55 for Port but Wollongong have the vistors 8/70. Murthy took 2-19 and Arpit Rastogi 3-22.

  Meanwhile, Dapto are among a group of teams chasing fourth spot, and resume at 3/69 chasing a determined Wests Illawarra’s 192 at Figtree Oval.

Luke Boncompagni (55), skipper Ollie Thompson (43) and Craig Hood (46) batted well, while Kendrick Hatton (5-40) impressed.

Asham Wanigaratne (43 no) is the danger man after smashing the bowling to various postcodes.

Balgownie posted 207 off 71.4 overs against Northern Districts on a slow day at Hollymount Park.

Bally were 2/129 but three run-outs halted their innings. Opener Luke McGregor (76) top-scored.  The Butchers resume 1/34.

 Finally, Helensburgh hold a slight edge over Corrimal in the battle of first vs third at Rex Jackson Oval.

 The Cougars batted for 75 overs to make 172, led by Mitchell Jones (35) and Kurtis Trindall (33).

Luke Falkiner (3-13) and Tim Lloyd (3-39) bowled well for the Burgh, who are 0/17. The Cougars may seal the minor premiership with a victory on day two.