Queensland leg spinner Mitch Swepson has claimed his maiden first-class 10-wicket haul in a match, but New South Wales hung on to record a nervy one-wicket win in their Sheffield Shield encounter in Adelaide.

Swepson became the first Queensland spinner to take 10 wickets in a Shield match in 41 years, with current national selector Trevor Hohns achieving the feat against the Blues at the SCG in 1979.

The Australian Twenty20 international representative, who is yet to play a Test, reminded Hohns of his ability with the red ball by taking 5-74 in the Blues’ second innings to finish with the match figures of 10-171.

But he could not remove Sean Abbott (18 not out), who hit the winning runs on the final day at Karen Rolton Oval.

Abbott clipped a ball over mid-on from the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne in the last half-hour before tea.

In command at 4-137 at lunch on the final day and chasing 206 for victory, the Blues lost five wickets in the second session to almost hand over the match to the Bulls.

At eight wickets down they appeared home when Test spinner Nathan Lyon (12) hit a boundary to tie the scores.

But more drama unfolded when Lyon was run out by Michael Neser’s brilliant fielding at mid-off.

Abbott’s drive off Swepson appeared destined for the boundary but Neser dived full length to stop it and Lyon, who had been watching the ball at the non-striker’s end as his partner continued running, was out by almost the length of the pitch at the wicketkeepers’ end.

It was left for Abbott, who top scored with 66 in the Blues’ first innings, to get the job done himself.

Earlier in the day, a Daniel Hughes (48) and Daniel Solway (52) partnership of 76 looked like it would get the Blues home before Swepson almost helped steal the win.

Bulls captain Usman Khawaja said he was proud of his side’s effort, given the modest victory target they set the Blues.

“When you are defending 200 you’ve to risk a bit to get a few wickets and I think the guys did that beautifully,” he said.

Across town, South Australia clung on for a surprise draw with Victoria in Glenelg.

In a match that will ultimately be remembered for the record-breaking partnership of Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris, South Australia dug in on day four to finish at 8-384.

Leading by 20 runs and with a result unlikely, an early close was called. Daniel Worrall (17) and Wes Agar (7) were the not out batsmen for the home side.

Travis Head (151) had earlier mounted yet another rearguard for the struggling Redbacks before being caught in close by Peter Handscomb off the bowling of Jon Holland.

Lion-hearted quick Scott Boland (6-61 from 33 overs) did his best but Victoria looked short of a quality spinner to clean up the tail.

A belligerent Shaun Marsh provided some final-day entertainment but it was not enough to ensure a result in the Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at Adelaide’s Gladys Elphick Park.

Marsh made 88, with Western Australia declaring its second innings at 5-436 just after lunch.

When stumps were called early on the final day, Tasmania was 2-117 after having been set an improbable 307 to win in less than two sessions.

Test batsman Matthew Wade (57) and Ben McDermott (28) were the unbeaten Tigers batsmen.

AAP/ABC



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