COACH Mick Byrne hailed a "great team performance" after Solent Stars' men's second team had made the most of home advantage to defeat Aston Athletics 90-72 in the semi-final of the National Division 3 championship play-offs.

They now meet Derby Trailblazers in the final at Reading's Rivermede Leisure Centre on Saturday, April 23.

Solent produced some outstanding defence to restrict the visitors to just two field goals in the opening quarter.

The team's defensive rebounding success - with Liam Wyatt prominent - ensured that Aston had few second chances.

The start of the game had been a nervous affair and it was nearly two minutes before Ryan Payne and Dave McKay registered Solent's opening baskets. But once Clayton Milner and Andy Aung joined the scoring, the home team opened a 12-point gap.

Wyatt picked up his second foul and was replaced by Trevor Donaldson, making his final appearance at Fleming Park before emigrating to Australia.

Joel Freeland and Liam Openshaw, from Solent's successful under-18 squad, both figured in the second quarter, but Freeland's inexperience led to him picking up three quick fouls and having to be replaced.

The game became more physical in the second half and frustration led to a technical foul being called on coach Byrne when he felt an elbow had been thrown.

A technical foul was then called against the visitors' bench for something they said, but Solent managed to keep their cool helped by the experienced Jon Rumsey.

Freeland added more points in the final quarter despite picking up his fourth foul and the younger Solent team admirably withstood any late pressure from their visitors.

Solent scorers: Dave McKay 23 Ryan Payne 19 Clayton Milner 17 Andy Aung 11 Trevor Donaldson 10 Joel Freeland 6 Jon Rumsey 4.

SOLENT Stars women edged an overtime thriller 87-83 against Manchester Mystics to march into the National Women's Division 1 play-off semi-finals.

In game of twists and turns at Fleming Park, the lead changed hands an amazing 39 times.

Manchester caused problems early on, but Solent hit back with some aggressive drives by Maria Tobar and held a 16-15 but Mystics roared back to level 32-32 at half-time.

Solent's Lizzie Cloke started to play with more aggression in the third quarter, but the last five minutes was all about Tobar who single-handedly kept them in touch with a ten-point spree. It was not enough, however, to prevent Manchester heading into the final phase 57-51 up.

With the lead swinging one way and then the other, Tobar was fouled as she scored and hit the resulting free throw to put Solent two up. But Manchester levelled with the last play, sending a dramatic game into overtime.

As the tension mounted, Manchester failed with a three-point attempt and Tarnai was fouled with less than three seconds to play, coolly hitting the two free throws that secured victory.

"Another amazing game!" gasped Stars coach Michael Ball. "It could have gone either way, but we finally came through against a really well prepared, tough team."

Solent scorers: M Tobar 33, Z Tarnai 17, L Powell 11, L Gamman 8, L Cloke 7, S Cooper 6, J Jerram 5, C Jones, C Brownsell.