Paine guides Tigers home

An unbeaten half-century from Tim Paine has helped Tasmania to a three-wicket victory in its Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Paine finished the match with an impressive 69 not out as Tasmania chased down 181 runs for victory to collect its first points of the Sheffield Shield season.

The victory takes Tasmania up to fourth place on the Sheffield Shield table with six points, while South Australia is in sixth place and is yet to register a point.

Resuming the day at 6-140 and with 41 runs still to get, Tasmania made a cautious start as pacemen Shaun Tait and Mark Cleary attempted to make a pivotal break through for the Redbacks.

And it was Tait who struck first as he removed Brett Geeves for a well compiled 36.

Geeves attempted to nudge one on the off-side but was clean bowled as Tasmania was reduced to 7-147 and still needing 34 runs for maximum points.

Gerard Denton joined Paine at the crease and the duo was put under plenty of pressure by Tait and Cleary as the Redbacks attacked at every opportunity.

Redbacks skipper Graham Manou tried all his bowlers, with Aaron O'Brien, Allan Wise and Peter George brought into the attack at different times to break the partnership.

But Denton and Paine put on 37 runs for the eighth wicket as Tasmania chased down the target and picked up its first points of the season.