On a day when dropped catches stole the headlines from an otherwise gritty performance from the NSW Blues, Ben Rohrer believes the Blues are in a good spot in their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania in Hobart.
"We're pretty happy with the day, getting sent in on that wicket," Rohrer said.
"It looked like it was going to be pretty sporting and helpful for the bowlers early and it was. I thought our top order did a fantastic job for us."
The Blues lost Phil Hughes for one but were able to steady through stubborn early resistance from Usman Khawaja (21) and the more fluent contributions of Steve Smith (98) and Simon Katich (46 ret hurt) later in the day.
Rohrer also chimed in with a well-made 83 before NSW skipper Steven O’Keefe declared on 7-341 with 30 minutes left in the day.
Probing for an early breakthrough in their pursuit of an outright result in Hobart, Blues paceman Scott Coyte created two chances in his only over only to see edges from both Tasmanian openers dropped by Steve Smith at second slip from consecutive deliveries.
"Unfortunately we couldn't quite take the chances we created, but hopefully we have 10 more tomorrow and are able to take those," Rohrer said, adding that Smith had endured a tough day at Blundstone Arena.
"It's obviously disappointing but they were tough chances, both low ones... he’ll get his head up overnight and hopefully he gets a few more tomorrow."
"He is fairly disappointed and he does take these things pretty much to heart so he'll think about it overnight but I'm sure he'll turn up refreshed tomorrow and right to go."
Simon Katich was the other Blue feeling sorry for himself after Day 1, wearing a top-edge to the forehead and retiring hurt with a large lump on his brow and mild concussion.
"We joke around he's as tough as Chuck Norris and I think he showed that today. He's got a huge egg on top of his eye and he wanted to go back out there and bat," Rohrer said.
"That's just Katto. It's not like him to come off the field, so it's a pretty nasty one."
The Blues will resume in the hope of quick wickets on Tuesday but Rohrer admitted the NSW bowlers would have to work hard on an improving wicket.
"I don't think it's as bad a wicket as it looks," he said.
"There's a bit there for the bowlers if they get it in the right areas but if they don't get it in the right areas they get hurt pretty quickly. We're going to have to work hard on our line and length and try to dot them up to build pressure."
