Rohrer, Copeland guide Blues past Redbacks

NSW have secured a potentially season-defining five-wicket win over South Australia thanks to an impressive Ben Rohrer ton in Coffs Harbour.

The Blues' Sheffield Shield final hopes were in peril midway through the match after conceding an 87-run first-innings lead, only for a spirited showing with bat and ball to revive their fortunes.

The win lifts NSW over South Australia into third with two rounds remaining.

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Rohrer defied the trend in a low-scoring match to hit a patient and composed 107 not out as NSW reached 5-267 to pass the victory target just before lunch on the fourth day on Sunday.

NSW opened the final day at 5-178 still 87 runs shy of victory with Rohrer their last recognised batsman.

The left-hander and Trent Copeland shared a match-winning unbeaten 120-run partnership - the highest of the match.

Copeland hit a watchful 47 not out to follow up his 5-62 in SA's second innings when they were bowled out for just 177 on day three after being in control at 1-72.

"We weren't happy with the way we bowled in the first innings, and we had a concerted effort (in the second innings) to put the ball in the right areas so full credit to our bowlers," said Rohrer.

The Blues are now chasing second-placed Queensland and even still have a slim mathematical chance of hauling in runaway leaders Victoria after the Bushrangers shock defeat against Tasmania.

"We need results to go our way," said Rohrer.

"We need to make sure we win our next two games, and you never know."

The match was scheduled on the mid NSW north coast as a tribute to the late Phil Hughes, who was from nearby Macksville and represented both NSW and South Australia.

With the SCG unavailable for next month's final, NSW would have to find another venue should they win hosting rights, and strong attendances over four days saw Coffs Harbour present a strong case.

Quirkily, though, it was a Coffs Harbour local wearing the colours of South Australia who made a strong impact in the match.

SA paceman Joe Mennie took six wickets overall to take his season tally to a competition-high 37 for the season.

"He did a fantastic job with minimal assistance from the wicket," said SA coach Jamie Siddons about Mennie.

"He has a lot of heart and consistently puts the ball in good areas and keeps finding edges."