PORTLAND Red Triangle skipper Matt Randell believes the return of star all-rounder Simon Proffitt will provide his bowling attack with added firepower against Hamworthy Recreation at Reforne tomorrow (1.30pm).

Triangle enter their final County Division One game of the season in fifth place and could leapfrog rivals Weymouth into fourth should the Seasiders slip up against relegation candidates Cerne Valley.

Proffitt has arguably been the stand-out bowler in the division this season, despite missing several games through a ban and unavailability, claiming 27 wickets at 8.89 apiece from just 71.4 overs.

With Randell serving the final match of a two-game ban, the Portland captain believes Proffitt’s addition to the squad is a big boost.

He told Echosport: “We should be a bit stronger, we’ve managed to get Si back playing, so that strengthens those bowling troubles we had last week (against Cattistock).

“That will be nice to get him back playing and taking some wickets. Tim Forshaw’s going to replace Elliot Sawyer. He’s a quality batsman and gives us the right-hand, left-hand combination at the top of the order.”

After a mid-season dip in form which saw Triangle slide from second to the bottom half, Randell is focused on finishing as high as possible.

“We started the season well and it took a massive turn,” he admitted. “At one stage we were looking at being in the bottom three. If we manage to finish in the top four, the lads will be able to take something from that, just to say we’ve been able to turn the season around going into next year.”

Portland (from): Leake, Forshaw, Laws, Price, Proffitt, Theakstone, Mihell, M Barrett, S Barrett, Whisker, Cameron, Marsh