PORTLAND Red Triangle captain Matt Randell says he is pleased to be in the top two, despite two losses in their last three matches, ahead of hosting Marnhull in County Division One tomorrow (1.30pm).

They face a Marnhull side that are in the bottom two in the early stages of the season, with one win so far this season, while Portland have 72 points, 27 behind leaders Cattistock.

Randell said: “We were expecting to move down a few positions after Saturday’s loss (away to Weymouth) but definitely pleased to be up in the top two. After losing two games (in their last three) we will be looking to go on and make sure we win on Saturday to keep us up there.

“They are a pretty decent team Marnhull, we always have a good game against them and they seem like they have got a few players that are in some pretty good form. It will be another tight game I would have thought.”

Commenting on the three-wicket loss to Weymouth, Randell added: “I think everyone took it quite hard so everyone will be really keen to sort of turn it around and make sure we win, especially at home. We are sort of targeting to win most of our home games this year.”

Joe Adkins, predominantly a bowler, replaces Ryan Price while Jon Cameron makes way for Matt Barrett.

Explaining the thinking behind the change, Randell replied: “I feel like we have struggled in the middle overs to take wickets, we have taken wickets up front and then we have taken wickets at the death but our middle overs we have not taken many wickets and I think it is because we have not got too many options and too many people to turn to so it will just be good to have that other option.

Portland: Emery, Leake, Laws, Randell, Theakstone, Proffitt, Whisker, J Adkins, Mihell, S Barrett, M Barrett