PITIFUL Preston's poor run of results carried into the second half of the season as Netherfield proved just why they were last year's league champions.

Preston captain Manoj Parekh opted to put Netherfield into bat at South Meadow Lane, a decision he was soon to regret as opening double act Jimmy Moyes and Craig Walmsley scored 63 runs before the first wicket fell.

If Preston thought things would ease after the partnership was broken up, they were in for a fright as Simon Dutton hit an unbeaten 39 which had Preston well and truly on the ropes.

Three wickets from Zubair Patel off 18.4 overs help keep the score down - Moyes went, caught by Phil Paynter, Foley was caught by Anyon for one, while Little was caught by Harrison off the same bowler for the same score - but 23 not out from Danny Welbourne gave Netherfield the confidence to declare on 181-6.

Parekh showed the way to play, taking the other three wickets before Preston nervously took to the crease.

And while Netherfield had suffered no problems in getting their score into double figures during their innings, for Preston, it was a totally different story.

Their first five wickets fell for just 22 against a devastating Netherfield fielding side. Greg Bamber, who scored a hat-trick for the second XI last week, discovered how tough life was in the first when he was caught by Dutton off Wheatman for just six. Richard Sullivan went for five, as did Ben Harrison, while Paynter went for a duck, bowled by Clement.

Not even a steadying 28 from Patel, 17 from Asif Bukhairi and 10 from Phil Watmough could help Preston, who were finished off in style by a hat-trick of quick wickets from Welbourne, who took his three in the space of just 6.3 overs.

FINAL SCORE: Netherfield 181-6 dec

Preston 97

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