IT WAS a first visit to the Fylde Coast for Northern Premier League newcomers Barrow on Saturday but they left Fleetwood with their tails between their legs as they were convincingly defeated by eight wickets writes Gerry Wolstenholme.

Batting first they made a modest 135-8 in their 57 overs...Fleetwood replied with 136-2 in only 37.2 overs.

Openers Robin Adams and Shaun Miller set off steadily if not spectacularly but they were parted at 26 and when 31 were on the board, both had fallen victim to Steve Hill who bowled Adams for 12 and had Miller caught behind by James Ellis for 18. Professional Rawl Lewis went to a fine slip catch by Doug Marillier off Dave Fish for five and then the middle order collapsed completely.

Marillier removed Dean Williams, four when Michael Clinning took a head-high catch at slip, and Ray Mowat, nought, and Ian Kermode, eight, in successive balls. Hill caught the former at short third man, the latter was caught behind by Ellis and with Fish having Paul Wilcock caught by John Wright at mid-off for four Barrow were in deep trouble. In the meantime James Riley had tried to keep the scoreboard moving but when he reached 47, made from 81 balls with three of the seven fours that were hit in the innings, he was trapped leg before wicket by Marillier.

Daryl Wearing, 18 not out, and Lee Cosgrove, 17 not out, then showed the only urgency in the innings and scampered for 35 precious runs to leave Barrow on a disappointing 135-8. Hill had 2 18, Fish 2-49 and Marillier 4-54.

In Fleetwood's innings none of the batsmen looked in any particular danger against some very ordinary bowling. John Hall, 33, and Wayne Clarke, 29, put on 64 for the first wicket before Hall was run out by a fine piece of fielding. Clarke then lofted a gentle catch to square leg before Clinning, 34 not out, and Marillier, a quick-fire 29 not out, from just 34 balls with one huge six and three fours, took Fleetwood to victory at 136-2 without recourse to the final 20 overs.

Blackpool's dream start to the season continued at Kendal where the home side were bowled out for 153 with Steven Croft taking 4-42, new professional Justin Kreusch, who looked decidedly sharp, 2-21 and Tim Barry 2-35. Only Kabir Khan with 48 showed any resistance to the splendid bowling attack. In reply Blackpool lost Steve Mercer early and were 1-1 but that was the end of the alarms as Croft, 103 not out with two sixes, one that won the game and took him to his century, and 16 fours, and Martin Pickles, 41 not out, took Blackpool to victory by nine wickets at 155-1.

St Annes were the only Fylde side not to win as they featured in a high scoring draw with Netherfield at Vernon Road. The Cumbrians batted first and scored a massive 260-5 with 63 from Gareth White, 62 from Grahame Clarke, 60 from professional Dale Benkenstein and 41 from Craig Parry. In reply St Annes lost wickets steadily with the best contributions from the early batsmen coming from Jimmy Adams with 37 and Joe Davies with 35. But it was Adam Cotton with 46 not out that saved the day as St Annes closed on 188-9.

Barrow 135-8, Fleetwood 136-2