SOUTHAMPTON Trailblazers' men strengthened their position at the Solent Area Basketball League Division 3 summit with an 85-57 win over JPM Dorset Storm Barracudas in Poole.

It extended their unbeaten run to nine games, leaving them two points clear at the top with one game left.

Having lost on their last visit to Poole, Southampton began the game in determined fashion with player-coach Jon Gill marshalling the defence from his position as centre and leading by example with five blocks in the first quarter.

With accurate perimeter shooting by guards Gary Beale and Mark Radford and pressure defence disrupting the opposition's game, the Blazers set up a 48-26 first-half lead.

The 22-point cushion allowed them to give their youngsters more court time with under-16 star Louis Allen particulary impressive with his 18-point haul.

Southampton scorers: Gary Beale 24, Louis Allen 18, Mark Radford 13, Jon Gill 8, Darren MacAskill 7, James Darios 5, Jeremy Darios 4, Liam Kelly 4, Liam Dell 2.

With the under-13 South Division title safely under their belts, Southampton's young guns travelled to Thames Valley Tigers under-14s as part of their preparation for this weekend's national quarter-final against Hackney White Heat.

They returned with a 68-64 victory having dominated the first quarter 20-12 against bigger, older opposition.

Coach Jeannie Asher was pleased with the whole team, particularly the excellent defence of guard Jon Pickering and the workrate of leading scorer James Blandford.

The Hackney game takes place this Sunday (April 3, 1.30pm) at Romsey's Mountbatten School. Spectators are welcome.

Southampton scorers: James Blandford 20, David Gardner 16, Jack Kendall 14, Jon Pickering 14, Nathan Holland 2, Joe Spencer 2.