SOLENT Stars' fixture programme will have new look about it next season.

League fixtures in the National Conference will begin later than usual in November, allowing time for all the pool matches in the National Trophy to be completed.

In another change of format, the end-of-season play-offs will culminate in a Final Four Tournament to decide the league Championship rather than the normal system of home and away semi-finals followed by a grand final.

Solent, who haven't won the National Trophy since their first ever season in 1980/81, have got another tough task on their hands. Their pool includes local rivals Worthing Thunder plus four clubs from the capital - Inter Basket London, North London Lords, Westminster Warriors and Ealing Tornados.

After limbering up with a pre-season friendly against Oxford Devils at Fleming Park on September 8, they dive straight into back-to-back away games at Worthing and North London the following weekend (15/16) and then welcome Westminster to Eastleigh on September 22.

Stars' first league test on November 10 is away to Reading Rockets who, along with Kingston Wildcats are new additions to the expanded ten-strong Conference.

After the success of the fun finish to last season, Solent have already programmed in dates for a gala night and marathon event on May 4/5.

The team are training throughout the summer and any aspiring players of National League standard are welcome to go along to Fleming Park on a Wednesday evening at 9pm.

SOLENT STARS FIXTURES 2001/2

September: 8 Oxford Devils (home, friendly), 15 Worthing Thunder (away, NT), 16 North London Lords (away, NT), 22 Westminster Warriors (home, NT), 29 Ealing Tornados (away, NT).

October: 6 Worthing Thunder (home, NT), 13 Inter Basket London (home, NT), 20 North London Lords (home, NT), 27 Westminster Warriors (away, NT).

November: 3 Ealing Tornados (home, NT), 4 Inter Basket London (away, NT), 10 Reading Rockets (away, NC), 17 Plymouth Raiders (away, NC), 24 National Trophy quarter-finals.

December: 1 Teesside Mohawks (home, NC), 8 Sutton Pumas (home, NC)/National Trophy semi-finals, 15 Inter Basket London (away, NC).

January: 5 Worthing Thunder (away, NC), 12 Kingston Wildcats (home, NC)/National Trophy Final at Sheffield Arena, 19 Manchester Magic (home, NC), 26 Coventry Crusaders (away, NC).

February: 2 Inter Basket London (home, NC), 9 Plymouth Raiders (home, NC), 16 Sutton Pumas (away, NC), 24 Teesside Mohawks (away, NC).

March: 3 Conference All-Star Game, 9 Reading Rockets (home, NC), 16 Worthing Thunder (home, NC), 23 Kingston W (away, NC).

April: 6 Coventry Crusaders (home, NC), 13 Manchester Magic (away, NC), 20: Play-off quarter-final first leg, 27 Play-off quarter-final second leg.

May: 4 Gala night, 5 Marathon event, 11/12 Final Four Championship play-off.