NICK Park’s Division One player of the month award was soured by a first-ball duck as New Milton crashed to an unlikely defeat to previously winless Rowledge.

Milton’s opener, who scooped the gong after hitting 234 runs in May, was caught and bowled by Matthew Willett (4-23) with the Fernhill Lane outfit dismissed for just 68 while chasing 184 for eight.

William Davies (42), Rob Smith (31), Ricky Davies (30) and Nick Morant (29) were the only consistent scorers for the visitors as Nick Gargaro (4-32) helped Milton to a target that looked well within their reach.

However, Mark House quickly followed Nick Park for a duck with captain Ryan Beck (17) and Gargaro (17) providing half of the hosts’ paltry total in the promotion hopefuls’ horror show.

And while Beck pulled no punches at the end, he was philosophical about the unlikely setback to his side’s progress. “Nick’s was just a straight delivery and on another day he might have flicked it for four,” said Beck.

“We had just sat down getting ready to watch and he’s out straight away. It is just one of those things that happens.

“We just have to draw a line under it and get on with the next one. There’s no point ranting and raving and there isn’t a lot you can say about it without swearing!”

Meanwhile, Lymington recovered from a nightmare start to maintain their place at the top of the Premier Division with a two-wicket victory over St Cross Symondians.

Chasing a total of 156, the hosts laboured to 58-6 before Matt Metcalfe (33) and Simon Beetham (41*) struck up a stellar partnership of 55 to put Ali Jaffer’s men back on track.

Tail-ender Paul McCann (19*) impressed alongside Beetham to help Lymo over the line.