Page has tended to that before this season but it comes as no coincidence that since he's shelved golf his batting has improved out of sight.

He showed that on Saturday when he posted his second century for the season making a massive 127 against reigning Whitney Cup first grade premiers Rugby at No.1 Oval.

The Blues batted out the full afternoon of 75 over to finish on 9-352 setting up a big target for the strong Blues' outright on Saturday.

Page opened the innings with his captain Dan Medway at 1pm and it wasn't until 4.45pm that he was finally out in the 61st over.

Page admits the heat of the day really took its toll on his body.

"I'm glad I didn't play golf this morning, I don't think I would have been able to maintain that level of concentration for nearly four hours," he said.

"I work at the golf club so get to play fairly often but realised I can't do everything so I will stick to my golf comps on Wednesday and cricket on Saturday.

"Making my first Whitney Cup century against Souths showed that needs to be done and to get another one today is all good.

"But the wicket was like a 'road' and very good to bat on and the fast outfight helped as well.

"However, the heat of the day was another thing, I admit I struggled in the second session."

Page found the boundary 15 times and went over the top for one six but in the latter stages of his innings there were quite a few singles. The batting support from the Blues - without suspended captain Jason Green - was good. Page's younger brother Ben helped himself to 54 batting at seven while Keiran Brien (39) and young Wade Burrowes (34) all kept the score board ticking over.

Rugby spinners Mitch Bower and Nathan Munro bowled 45 of the 75 overs between them and took seven wickets.

Bower powered through 22 overs to finish with 4-98 while Munro's 23 overs cost him 109 runs for three wickets.

Both sides were without key players on Saturday on the first day of the two-day match.

Jordan Moran (Rugby) and Declan Hoare (Macquarie) were in Orange preparing for the Country Championship final but will be back on deck for day two. Mitch Bower however is likely to be out and he's one batsman Rugby are likely to miss.

Both sides are in the top three - Rugby currently are second on the ladder behind Colts having won four of their five games while the Blues are third with three wins.