Glenn Maxwell’s first innings double century looked certain to take Victoria to a comfortable win but some determined defensive batting from the Blues turned the match around.

Set a virtually impossible target of 468 on the final day, and with the team resuming already several wickets down at 2-46, NSW made it their mission to block out the day.

NSW made it to lunch only three wickets down – Nic Maddinson (32) being the only casualty of the day – and their chances of earning a draw were starting to look good.

Nightwatchman Sean Abbott was proving a handful for the Victorians as he approached a very patient half century.

His quest came up just shy on 47 but not before he’d seen off 175 deliveries.

Kurtis Patterson (61) was proving a nuisance for the fielding side as well but when Chris Tremain finally removed the Blues batsman things were starting to turn in the Victorians’ favour.

Moises Henriques fell for a duck and NSW were sitting at 5-161.

Big wickets of Peter Nevill (8) and Steve O’Keefe (22) brought Copeland out to the middle alongside Ed Cowan with an hour left to play.

The NSW duo survived until the drinks break despite a slew of Victorian fielders gathered around the crease waiting for a mistimed block.

Incredibly, NSW were able to keep their undefeated record intact at 8-256.

Copeland finished with five runs from 62 balls while Cowan found 40 runs from 99 deliveries.