SKIPPER Ryan Beck hailed “ice man” Nick Park after leaders New Milton had survived another batting wobble to claim an eighth Division One victory on the trot.

Park (67) drew on his vast experience to hold together the New Milton reply, remaining undefeated as they chalked up a five-wicket win against struggling Hursley Park yesterday.

The 29-year-old former Dorset star helped the Green & Golds recover from 12 for three and 46 for four as they went in pursuit of Hursley’s 151 for nine.

He put on 63 for the fifth wicket with Nick Elliott (32) before sharing an unbroken stand of 46 for the sixth wicket with Nick Gargaro (18) to see them over the winning line.

Earlier, paceman George Watts (3-31) had ripped out the Hursley top order before spinner Elliott (3-26) returned another tidy spell to ensure they would be kept in check.

Captain Beck told the Daily Echo: “Nick Park was simply superb. We have had a few collapses in recent weeks and, at 12 for three, we could have feared the worst. But he showed his class and dug in. He is a quality player and used all his knowhow to bat us to the win.

“George Watts and Nick Elliott both bowled excellently but we probably gave them 40 runs too many. To get 21 points at this stage of the season was massive and it was great to keep the winning run going.”

  • Lymington will host Havant in the semi-final of the Southern Premier League t20 Cup, while Sarisbury Athletic will entertain holders South Wilts. The two ties are due to take place on August 3.

Meanwhile, in the Plate competition, New Milton will host Hook & Newnham Basics at Fernhill, while Totton & Eling will welcome Waterlooville, with the ties again scheduled for August 3.