Stars are not shining in pre-season games

Solent Stars 60, Reading Rockets 82

SOLENT STARS' coaches Alan Cunningham and Steve Chant know they have a huge task on their hands before the start of the new National League Division 1 campaign on September 19th.

Only seasoned campaigners Marlin Capers and Nick Oharabe were able to get on the Solent scoresheet by half time in this match at Fleming Park last Saturday. Despite that, they only trailed by six points at the interval, playing against one of last season's top three finishers in the National League.

It took another three minutes of the second half before newcomer Karl Mroch was fouled as he shot and scored one of his two free throws to become the third Solent scorer in the game.

A late rally in the third quarter saw Solent come within eleven points of the Reading lead, but with Marlin Capers only playing a few minutes in the second half - still suffering from travel fatigue after his arrival in the country - Solent were not able to get any closer.

Reading ran in another eleven unanswered points at the start of the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt as Solent's inexperienced squad were not able to respond in kind.

Solent scorers: Marlin Capers 25, Nick Oharabe 20, Mark Jackson 4, Melvin Ojadi 4, Paul Silcox 2, Ollie Marsh 2, Phil Long 2, Karl Mroch 1.

Earlier, the second Solent men's team had overcome a six point half time deficit to forge a seven point lead (51-44) by the fourth minute of the third quarter against Taunton.

Duane Laight (19 points), Ryan Payne (13) and Jon Rumsey (11) were the main scorers as Solent fought hard to keep their lead. Coach Mick Byrne gave all fourteen players in the squad court time to assess their potential.

Taunton Tigers, trailing by three points at the start of the last quarter, opened the final session with ten of the first twelve points scored. Despite strenuous efforts by the home team, they were able to hang on for a 78-73 win.

The season's build up continues tomorrow (Sat 11th) at Fleming Park when the second team play the pick of the British Police (6pm), while the first team play the all-American USAF Mildenhall Marauders (8pm).