The good news is that Solent Stars have tasted victory for the first time in six attempts this season.

The bad news is that the six-point winning margin over Cardiff Clippers is unlikely to carry them through to the quarter-final stages of basketball's National Trophy.

A win away to Pool B favourites Plymouth Raiders on November 4 could change the picture dramatically but, realistically, Stars' best hope lies with overturning the ten point deficit run up in an 88-78 defeat in Cardiff last month.

Until a disastrous final quarter, they were on course to do just that at Fleming Park on Saturday, but from a position of authority at 65-48, they lost their way completely as their once-handsome lead was whittled down to just six points.

Player-coach Mark Scott blamed himself. Having launched two big three-pointers to help establish a healthy 45-35 half-time advantage, he sat out the entire third quarter and only rejoined the action when Solent were sinking fast in the fourth.

"I made a bad substitution. I should have brought myself on earlier because, when I did come back, it took me too long to get back into the game," he confessed.

Solent's slap-dash finale took the shine off an otherwise bright performance which, at its peak, left the Welshmen trailing by 19 points midway through the third quarter.

By the time Scott reappeared, that lead had been reduced to ten and, despite the best efforts of man-of-the-match Toby Tripalin, Solent were hanging on at 75-71 before Eddie Owusu's three-pointer calmed the situation with ten seconds remaining.

Tripalin's form, at least, brought a smile to the face of Scott, who said of the big American: "He's going from strength to strength and really stepping up his game. He's right there on defence and offence which is wonderful to see."

Stars must now address their woeful league form. This Saturday they face South Coast rivals Worthing Thunder in the NBL Conference at Fleming Park (8pm).

Solent scorers: Toby Tripalin 26, Chris Harper 14, Mark Scott 12, Eddie Owusu 10, Mike Griffiths 6, Jonathan Rumsey 6, Nosa Obadigie 4.