16-YEAR-OLD spinner Alex Page will be looking to press his claims for more regular first grade selection next season after starring with the ball in Queanbeyan's third grade grand final win over North Canberra-Gungahlin.
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Page's impressive spell of 5/39 (10) was enough to propel Queanbeyan to a comfortable 107-run victory against Norths in last Sunday's decider.
It was the left-arm tweaker's first five-wicket haul for the club and came at the perfect time as Queanbeyan secured its second trophy of the season following the club's second-grade Twenty20 title last month.
Having made his first grade debut earlier this year, Page spent the majority of the season in second grade before being dropped back to thirds for the finals.
But having taken 11 wickets at 21 in his three third grade appearances, the teenager said he was hoping to play more consistently in the higher grades next season.
"I played most of the year in seconds and had a couple of games in firsts this year and don't think I bowled too bad," he said. "But if you bowl a couple of bad balls in the better grades you'll go [for runs].
"Hopefully next season I can play consistent second grade and maybe get a few more games in firsts."
It was a case of youth and experience working in perfect tandem for Queanbeyan in Sunday's clash as Page's wicket-taking exploits were complemented by veterans Stephen Frost (1/18) and Graeme Alexander (1/19).
"Stephen Frost did a great job at one end," Page said. "He really tied them up so that helped me a lot to get a few wickets."
Page wasn't the only star of Queanbeyan's grand final win with Simon Mann rescuing the Bluebags from the perilous position of 4/63 earlier in the day with a well-made 83.
Mann's efforts, along with a handy 58 from Pete Solway at number 7 saw Queanbeyan post 232 with Norths never really in the hunt as the home side was bundled out for 125.
Queanbeyan 232 (S Mann 83, P Solway 58) bt North Canberra-Gungahlin 125 (A Page 5/39, J Ludwig 1/17 S Frost 1/18) at Keith Tournier Memorial Oval.