CAPTAIN James Park is confident New Milton can hold their nerve during the final month of the season as they look to avoid a repeat of last year’s nightmare.

Park led the Green & Golds to a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Totton & Eling at Fernhill Sports Ground yesterday as they maintained pole position and a narrow advantage in Division One.

New Milton topped the table for all but the final week of last season before being pipped to the championship by Sarisbury Athletic.

And while a disastrous August saw New Milton lose three times against mid-table opposition, Park believes they are better equipped this time round.

There will certainly be no easy pickings for New Milton over the closing weeks of the campaign as they face the five teams currently second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh.

“It is a tough run-in,” said Park, who replaced Ryan Beck as skipper at the start of the season. “But the lads are playing well and, hopefully, we can keep it going.

“I think the lads have learned from what happened last season. We’ve got a bit more strength in depth this season so, hopefully, we can keep the run going.”

Park conceded it had been a good toss to win against Totton & Eling as New Milton completed a comfortable double having beaten their opponents by 176 runs in May.

After George Watts (2-16) had removed both openers, Nick Gargaro (4-6) proved almost unplayable during his 10 overs as the visitors succumbed for just 61.

Openers Nick Park (31) and Mark House (22) remained unbeaten as Milton breezed home from 18 overs.

Skipper Park added: “We have had four tough games on the bounce so were happy for a fairly straightforward win.

“They were unfortunate to lose the toss and then lost their first wicket off the first ball of the innings.

We can only beat what is in front of us. We are bowling well as a unit and you can’t fault our boys. They are playing superbly and, hopefully, we can keep it going.”