FRESHLY-appointed permanent skipper James Park hailed as “perfect” New Milton’s 176-run mauling of Totton & Eling.

Park, who took the captain’s role on a full-time basis following the resignation of Ryan Beck last week, steered the Green and Golds to their fourth Southern Premier League victory out of four at Southern Gardens.

New Milton stormed to 279 which included an unbeaten knock of 95 from Park, before the visitors dismissed their opponents for a meagre 103.

And the jubilant skipper was left purring at the display of all 11 of his players in the Division One clash.

He told the Daily Echo: “Everything went right from the moment we won the toss. It was pretty much the perfect performance.

“The two lads at the top put on 60-odd off about 12 or 13 overs and even after Mark House retired due to sickness and James Haggaty was out, we never looked back.

“I don’t have too much to say about my own performance because I’m not too interested in personal milestones but from a team perspective, it was perfect.

“I dread to think how many we scored in the last 10 overs because there was some very good hitting.

“With the ball we took wickets up front again, which is all-important, and the wickets were shared about. We are setting high standards with the ball and in the field so that is ideal.

“We have a well-balanced side and loads of experience in there so I see no reason why we cannot maintain our form.

“I have settled into the role of captain and the boys are fully behind me so I can’t ask for much more than that. Hopefully, things will continue in the right direction both on and off the field.”

Although Park stole the show with the bat, there were sizeable contributions from Haggaty (49), Toby Edwards (33), House (32) and Lee Beck (31*).

The latter impressed with the ball with figures of two for 13 in his five overs, while Nick Gargaro tormented the mid and lower orders (3-9).

Nick Elliott took two for 18 and there was a wicket apiece for George Watts and Dan Loader.