DARREN Cowley is hoping he can rise to the big occasion and help Dorset to a second Minor Counties Championship national crown.

The big-hitting batsman cracked 75 and 63 to claim the man-of-the-match award in their five-wicket win over Cumberland in the 2000 final at Chapel Gate.

Now he is targeting a sizzling repeat performance when Western Division winners Dorset host Eastern Division counterparts Lincolnshire in this year’s final at Dean Park, starting tomorrow (10.30am).

Cowley said: “I remember everything about that clash against Cumb-erland, including Tim Lamb hitting a six to seal our triumph.

“It was my first year playing for Dorset and I batted really well.

“I just went out and smashed the ball around everywhere. It was really hitting the middle of the bat.

“It would be brilliant if I could repeat that type of display and Dorset were to win the final again.

“I think I raise my game for the big ones, when there is more riding on it.

“It’s the senior players you look to to come good in that sort of match, and I think we generally do.

“Having said that, everyone in the team has chipped in this season, both the young and the more experienced.”

Cowley, a Dorset regular for most of the past decade but who has only scored 238 runs in 10 championship innings this term, added: “I’ve had a pretty poor season this year.

“Apart from the game with Wales, when I got 83 and 44, I’ve struggled for runs.

“We really needed them against Wales in our last Western Division match. In the first innings, we were 33-3 when I came in and the pressure was on, but I got them.

“I batted quite a long time for my runs as well, which really pleased me.

“I’d got 120 on the Saturday for Suttoners, so I took a bit of form into the game.

“This year is my first back in Dorset’s side after breaking my ankle, so playing in another final is great.”

All-rounder Glyn Treagus and Cowley are likely to be the only survivors from Dorset’s starting line-up against Cumberland to feature over four days against Lincolnshire.

Cowley said: “It’s great because it means the rest of this year’s team are really young. The majority are the same ages as Treags and I were 10 years ago.

“We’re both coming towards the end of our careers, so it would be nice to win the title again.

“He’s 35 and I’m nearly 34 so it would be great to beat Lincolnshire.”