Losing a wicket first ball and being 2-5 shortly after, Wests found themselves in early trouble against Stockton and Northern Districts on Saturday.
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Enter Rosellas centurions Puru Gaur and Josh Emerton.
Gaur and Emerton went about steadying the ship, before levelling the ledger and eventually putting Wests on the front foot midway through their round seven encounter at Harker Oval.
Both batsmen reached three figures, Gaur 115 and Emerton 130, combining for an innings-saving and potentially match-winning partnership of 230.
Skipper James King (50) and Edan Brichta (45) continued on and with six overs remaining the Rosellas declared at 7-362.
Although unable to make a late breakthrough, Stockton will resume at 0-12 on day two, Gaur and Emerton had already done most of the damage.
"Wiv [Aaron Wivell] got out first ball of the innings and we were 2-5 not long after, so to be 2-200 odd shows how much those guys dug in," King said.
"We spoke about batting out our overs at the start of the day because it's something we struggle with last year. Puru [Gaur] and Emo [Emerton] were impressive.
"It was disappointing not to pick up a wicket late in the day, but we'll take 360."
Emerton, who has won Newcastle District Cricket Association first grade premierships with three different clubs, notched up his first hundred for Wests and hit 16 boundaries during the 180-ball knock.
He was dismissed at 3-235 while Gaur, who faced 237 deliveries, ended up back in the pavilion at 4-276.
Emerton praised the "patience" of his new teammate, who joined the Rosellas in 2019-20.
"He [Gaur] was just so patient," Emerton said. "It looks like he could just bat all day."
Stockton's wicket takers were Daniel Foster (3-79), Tyson Beatty (2-25) and Lucas Sargent (1-79).
Elsewhere on Saturday, the game between Charlestown and Toronto at Kahibah Oval hangs in the balance following a five-wicket haul to Kookaburras seamer Andrew Somerville.
The recently selected NSW Country representative claimed 5-45, which included bowling four opponents as the Magpies lost 4-10 midway through their reply.
Charlestown, who went from 1-48 to 5-58 chasing Toronto's 128, need 16 more runs with two wickets in hand after finishing 8-113 at stumps.
Merewether (7-260) batted time against competition leaders Hamilton-Wickham at Townson Oval with Lions captain Simon Moore (66 not out) top scoring.
Rain stopped play at University just before the tea break with visitors Waratah-Mayfield 6-187 after 60.4 overs. Asher Robins (75) and Lachlan Curtis (50) added 114 together.
Belmont are 3-41 in response to Cardiff-Boolaroo's 142 at Pasterfield Sports Complex. City struck late after posting 208 against hosts Wallsend (1-13).
