A HALF-century from debutant Matthew Taylor was not enough to help Barrow avoid slipping to defeat at home to Fleetwood in the Northern Premier League Division One.

Having been dismissed for 133, the home side were then put to the sword by Fleetwood opener Dean Bell as he cracked an unbeaten 109 to guide his team to victory in just 21 overs.

Indeed, Bell proved something of a party-pooper on a day which saw a number of past Barrow players return to celebrate 90 years of the club playing at Ernest Pass.

Having loss the toss and being made to bat first, Barrow lost Jamie Pinfold for a duck and fellow opener Dean Williams for three.

Taylor held firm though and made 51 before being caught and bowled by Fleetwood leg-spinner Neels Bergh, who went on to claim impressive figures of 6 for 28.

It was Bergh’s 14-over spell which did the damage to Barrow as the hosts were bowled out in 48 overs, with Ryan Gilmour (24) being their only other batsman to make it into double-figures.

Fleetwood wicketkeeper Bell then led the way for the visitors in their reply, only for their progress to be checked when Glen Kermode dismissed both Mat Clark (8) and Alex Ryder (0) in quick succession.

But Bell and Bergh (14 not out) ensured Fleetwood eased to an eight-wicket victory which leaves Barrow second-bottom in the Division One standings.

It was another difficult day for Barrow’s second team as well, with them going down by 10 wickets away to Fleetwood.

The away side were shot out for just 57 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, with skipper Peter Deeks the only man to make it into double figures with 30.

Mike Clinning (3 for 2) and Declan Clerkin (3 for 6) were the bowlers who did most of the damage for Fleetwood as Barrow were all out in 37.3 overs.

Fleetwood openers Michael Wilson (20 not out) and David Crawforth (32 not out) then knocked off the runs needed for victory inside 10 overs to secure a comfortable win.

The result leaves Barrow bottom of the table with just one win and they travel to the side just above them this Saturday when they face Kendal.

Meanwhile, Kendal’s first team make the trip to Ernest Pass this weekend. They sit 14 points ahead of Barrow in the Division One table.