PRESTON VALLEY continued its unbeaten start to the season, comfortably accounting for an undermanned Greenbushes-Balingup by 151 runs at Balingup Oval on Saturday.

After being sent into bat first, Greenbushes lost skipper Tosh Thamo early off the bowling of Luke Asplin, and struggled to find early runs in a plush outfield.

Newcomer Rob Van Bavel (seven) showed early aggression and Tristan McFarlane (six) worked hard for his runs after opening the batting; however wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Dean Wilson (26) top-scored in his first game back, giving the home side something to cheer about.

He put on 20 runs for the ninth wicket with father Don (eight not out).

Isaac Wedderburn (11) held up the tail and put on a further 21 with Don Wilson for the 10th wicket, before Greenbushes-Balingup were bowled out for 86 in the 36th over.

Preston’s best bowlers were Luke Asplin (7-1-23-3), Danny Hartnup (6.1-2-6-2) and Daniel Towers (3-0-10-2), who notched up his maiden wicket off a brilliant one-handed slips catch by Ben Howlett.

In reply, Chad Richardson made the early breakthrough for Greenbushes-Balingup, having Justin Terry caught by Thamo at silly mid-off.

Howlett (34) and Asplin (33) then shared a 62-run stand for the second wicket, which included several threes due to the slow outfield.

Asplin was eventually run out off the quick reflexes of Kai Hicks. Howlett also lost his wicket shortly after steering his side past the target in the 14th over.

Bob Lyon (15) and Stirling Parker (23) upped the run rate. Parker hit two sixes, before contributions from Hartnup (54), Richard Manea (7), Shaun Gardiner (16) and Josh Buckley (13) finished off the innings, all out for 243 in the 40th over.

The best bowlers for Greenbushes-Balingup were Kai Hicks (10-0-45-3), Chad Richardson (8-0-34-2) and Isaac Wedderburn (8.4-1-59-2).

In the other match this week, Donnybrook toppled Boyup Brook in a low-scoring match at Greenbushes Oval.

For all match reports, scorecards and statistics, visit the DBCA website at www.dc-ca.com.au.