Ray Digman Trophy final: Laker hopes Northern can draw on big-match experience on quest for rare treble

Chris Laker in action for Northern

Chris Laker thinks Northern’s big game experience will prove crucial as they aim for a third trophy in as many weeks.

James Cole’s side won the ECHO Cup on Bank Holiday Monday and the Lancashire Cup last weekend, meaning Sunday’s Ray Digman Trophy final against Leigh is a chance to wrap up a treble.

Northern have played – and won – a lot of tough games of cricket along the way, not least in the early stages of the Digman.

Wins over Wallasey away and Ormskirk at home were followed by a frantic dip for the DLS line against Birkenhead Park in the semi-final.

“It has been a rocky road to get to this one,” Laker said.

“But we’re really looking forward to competing for a treble on Sunday.

“It’s a good sort of culture and environment when you’re finding ways to win. 

“It’s going to be a really good standard of cricket on Sunday, as high as there is with two quality teams having a go.”

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Going deep in so many cups brings its own challenges in terms of players’ workloads, especially for those who have actual work as well.

But batting all-rounder and director of cricket Laker says the pinch point comes in the middle of the season – by the time the finals come around, everyone is purely focused on winning.

He added: “When it is Saturday, Sunday, T20 through the week, that’s three games a week.

“If you are successful you’re looking at a seven-week block of that.

“It is really enjoyable but that’s where it gets challenging.

“People are working on week days and trying to get somewhere for a 6pm start for an away T20… then there’s obviously all the Sunday cricket backing that up as well.

“When you get to this stage of the season, you realise how much hard work you’ve done to get to this point. 

“Then it’s really enjoyable to play in a few finals.”

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The two finalists have traded blows in the league this season. Leigh won at Moor Park in May thanks to 94 from Ben Martindale, the highlight of his brief cameo for the club, before Adam Shallcross took 4/29 to wrap things up.

Northern got their own back at Beech Walk last month, when Dan Wilson took 8/74 to earn a 44-run victory.

Both games could have gone either way, as could a national knockout clash last year which Northern took on their way to the final.

Laker knows Northern have to be wary of Leigh’s line-up, in particular skipper Mattie McKiernan, who has already broken the 1,000-run barrier in the league.

“We’re under no illusions, they’ve got a number of match winners,” he said.

“No bones about it, it’ll be a tough game.

“I think with top players it’s about making sure they keep having to score off good deliveries and not giving them that release ball.

“You have to make sure you’re hitting your straps and hitting those lines and lengths as consistently as you possibly can. 

“Keep making them play good shots and hopefully you create pressure and force that mistake.”

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