Both as captain and not out batsman, alongside English import Marcus O'Riordan, the experienced campaigner will resume his innings on Saturday with Belmont 3-41 and in need of 102 runs for victory against Cardiff-Boolaroo at Pasterfield Sports Complex.

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"It's quite a precarious position, but hopefully we can get the runs and get our first two-day win of the season," Hainsworth said.

"The lower order can learn some lessons from the Charlestown game [outright loss last round]."

Hainsworth (four not out) and O'Riordan (seven not out) faced a combined 49 deliveries to steer Belmont to stumps on day one after CBs bowler Nathan Hillier (2-6) claimed two of three wickets for the hosts in the space of 26 overs.

Cardiff had earlier been dismissed for 142 in the 64^th over. Hainsworth praised the second spell of Jace Lawson, who ended up with 4-25 including top scorer Sudhanshu Gundeti (36).

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