Bluebags third grade have capped off a stellar season by bringing home the ACT Cricket Association Third Grade premiership with an unheard of 10-wicket win over Wests/UC on the weekend.
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West/UC won the toss, but unfortunately for them that was where their success ended.
Queanbeyan's Jacob Knowles caught and bowled one of his four wickets in just the eighth over and the Bluebags were looking dangerous.
Jordan Brown followed suit in overs 14 and 19 and by lunch Beau Watts had also chipped in to keep Wests/UC to 4/98.
Not long after George Cross bowled another and Tyler Van Luin picked up a wicket next ball.
Wickets fell thick and fast into tea time- Wests/UC were eventually all out for 221 and the chase was on for the Bluebags.
Queanbeyan finished day one 0/115, with only 105 to get on the final day.
An outstanding partnership of 209 thanks to a ton from Mick Elliot (119no) and tremendous support by Phil Moore (90no) saw the Bluebags cruise to a 10 wicket win over West/UC landing them some silverware.
"I've never been in a grand final where it's been won by 10 wickets," Queanbeyan captain Pete Solway said.
"Our young bowlers bowled really well and kept the pressure on.
"Then I set the young boys a challenge to set a great partnership and they did.
"Mick Elliot no doubt had his best cricketing moment with 119no and Phil Moore was also good with 90no."
Wests/UC only managed two half centuries thanks to solid bowling from Jordan Brown (4/49 in 12 overs), Jacob Knowles (1/34 in 10 overs) and Beau Watts (2/44 in 15.3 overs), Solway said.
"Jordan Brown had good line and length and took four wickets- all the bowlers had good lines," he said.
Third grade completed the 'treble' in 2015, winning the T20 and the one-day competitions as well as coming home with the two day title. Solway said he was more than happy with the way the team had dealt with a challenging offseason.
"Every premiership is nice, but this will be one I'll always remember because we had a young group and a lot of the older players played mentoring roles and showed the way cricket should be played," he said.
"We're a young club who lost a lot of established players, so I'm happy with how we've come through.
"We made the semis in all five grades, so I think the club has done well.
"I believe we're in a good space and we'll build on good things from this season."
