FURNESS can make cricketing history this weekend by becoming the first team to win the Higson Cup three years on the trot.

Barrow, Millom, Carlisle, Vickers SC (now Hawcoat Park), Carnforth, Cleator and Furness have all achieved back-to-back successes in the 92 years the North Lancs League’s showpiece competition has been in existence – but no side has ever made it a treble.

For Mike Gadsden’s side to achieve that great feat at Haverigg CC this Sunday they will have to beat a dangerous Workington outfit who beat Furness in the 2011 final at the same venue.

The Rams got their revenge two years ago in the final, which was also played at Poolside, so there will be a very familiar look to proceedings when Sunday’s 45-overs-per-side match gets under way.

The sides are pretty evenly-matched and Gadsden has warned his high-fliers they must be at their best to overcome the West Cumbrians.

“It is sure to be another tough game,” said the Furness skipper, whose team gained a psychological edge at the weekend with a 63-run triumph at Workington which sent them back to the top of the Premier Division table.

“Both sides know each other pretty well as we seem to play against each other frequently in cup competitions.

“They have a lot of dangermen. Their bowling attack is strong with their pro (Dylan Stanley) and Matt Lowden opening up. It’s not often you get two left arm bowlers to go up against.

“First change Martin Turner did the damage to our middle order at the weekend so he is not to be underestimated.

“In the batting Callum and Kristian Moffat are the two obvious dangermen, but their strength is in their depth.

“They always bat right the way down the order. Not sure they have too many weaknesses that you can pinpoint.

“We won’t be going out their to target any one player or any one area. Our aim will be to concentrate on performing to the best of our ability.

“The one thing that stood out last time we played Workington in the final was our fielding.

“It really set the platform for us to build pressure and ultimately win the game.

“If we repeat that as a unit then it’s up to our bowlers and batsmen to prepare well and hopefully perform on the day.”

Furness have high hopes of achieving their fourth league and Higson Cup double in the space of seven successful seasons under first Stuart Horne and then Gadsden – who has seen his side recover well from a mini mid-season blip to lead the race.

“I’m really pleased with the run we have been on since the defeat to Keswick at home,” he said Gadsden, whose side entertain Whitehaven in the league tomorrow.

“We have had quite a few missing with holidays and work commitments so we have done well to put such a strong run together.

“Hopefully our availability should be good for the remainder of the season and we can continue to string results together.

“The last two weeks have been really good results beating two really strong sides in Cockermouth and Workington.

“There are no easy games this year so I expect the title race to go down to the wire. There is still a third of the season remaining so it is far from over.

“We have a small cushion to Keswick and Cockermouth, but one slip-up lets them both right back in at us.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Dalton can consolidate top spot in Division One by beating neighbours Lindal Moor at Ulverston Road.

Dan Sharpe’s men put themselves in the box seat last weekend with a narrow 14-run win at Carlisle – the skipper top scoring with 38 and Jon Bell taking four for 32.

Millom – who kept themselves in the hunt by winning at Ulverston – will aim to emulate Dalton and get the better of the city men at St George’s Road.

Mike Etchells’ brilliant spell of eight for 23 ensured Kirkby remain firm title favourites in Division Two as they beat Cleator A, and Mike Fugler’s side can take another step towards promotion by defeating Lanercost at home.