SOLENT Stars women maintained their promising start to the National Basketball League Division 1 campaign with a convincing 68-33 victory over London Capitals at Fleming Park.

Playing their first game at the Eastleigh venue this season, Stars took a while to warm up, but a burst of 18 points - a dozen of them by Zsuzsa Tarnai - late in the first quarter carried them into a comfortable 24-6 lead.

Tarnai sat out the second quarter on three fouls and, with Solent surrendering possession all too easily, their lead was trimmed to ten, 31-21, by the half-time break. However, London barely got a look-in in the third quarter. With Katerina Syngellakis, Tobar, Lizzie Cloke and Sarah Cooper benefiting from great ball movement, Stars scored 20 points without reply to destroy any hope of a London comeback.

Stars eased off in the final quarter but still maintained their lead, setting them up nicely for an important weekend. They follow a league trip to Stockport with Sunday's Cup semi-final away to Rhondda.

"We have come a long way in a very short time and the weekend's two games on the road will be a true test for us and our spirit," said coach Michael Ball.

SOLENT SCORERS: Z Tarnai 17, S Cooper 16, M Tobar 13, L Cloke 8, C Brownsell 5, K Syngellakis 5, L Powell 2, L Gamman 2, C Jones.