Half-centuries to Test hopefuls Steve Smith and Moises Henriques have helped NSW claim first-innings points on day two of the Bupa Sheffield Shield clash at Blacktown International Sportspark.
In reply to the Warriors' first-innings score of 242, the Blues lost four wickets in the middle session to slump to 5-163 at tea needing a further 80 runs for first-innings points.
But Smith (72) and Moises Henriques (62 not out) wrestled back the momentum with a 72-run stand before Smith was caught at short mid-wicket off the bowling of Jason Behrendorff (2-39).
Henriques, who was dropped on 14, finished the job with three consecutive boundaries before securing the two competition points - and his half-century - with a delicate cut for three late in the session.
It was a brave effort from the all-rounder, who was struck on his already injured right hand by Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-58) early in the final session and twice received medical attention.
The Blues lead by 21 runs after reaching stumps at 6-263 with Stephen O'Keefe (16) the other not out batsman.
Smith, who is also in the mix for a spot in the Test squad to tour India next month, was the pick of the Blues batsmen on a tricky deck offering variable bounce for the quicks and serious turn for the slower men.
His chanceless 163-ball knock included nine boundaries.
The Blues duo are the only players to post half-centuries so far this match - eight other batsmen (five from the Warriors) have posted scores of 20 or more without reaching 50.
Coulter-Nile and Behrendorff were the best of the Warriors' pacemen, but 19-year-old debutant Ashton Agar was the visitors' best bowler.
The promising left-arm off orthodox made good use of the spin-friendly conditions, varying his pace and flight well en route to impressive figures of 2-82 off 32 overs.
Earlier, Western Australia added 10 runs to their overnight total before O'Keefe trapped Behrendorff lbw for a duck, with the visitors all out for 242 after being sent in on day one.
O'Keefe finished with impressive figures of 4-55 off 29.2 overs in a timely performance ahead of next week's Test squad announcement.
Blues openers Scott Henry and David Dawson made a bright start in sunny conditions with a 68-run stand before Agar clean bowled Henry for 39 to claim his maiden first-class wicket.
The middle session belonged to the Warriors, with NSW losing Dawson (26), Peter Nevill (26), Ben Rohrer (five) and Brad Haddin (10) all falling before Smith and Henriques launched their rescue mission.