SOLENT Stars' newly established women's second team still have some big lessons to learn after being soundly beaten 99-47 by a confident Southend Swifts side.

With coach Ken Walton and assistant coach Paul Over both unavailable, Stars were under the guidance of Lee Ryan.

Things didn't go to plan in the first quarter as Swifts scored 12 unanswered points on their way to a 23-8 lead.

Solent came out a lot stronger, playing tougher defence, in the second quarter and making Swifts work harder for their points.

Nikki Scrivener, in for Eszter Ball who was on her third foul, started to look like a threat at the offensive end, but things were still not gelling on the defensive side and former Solent payer Vikki Willmore took full advantage, scoring ten points in three minutes for Southend.

Having limped off with a foot injury after six minutes, Christie Rourke returned to the action with heavy strapping, but then Ball fouled out.

Junior player Emily Brookfield and Shelley Steele forced the Swifts into some errors but it didn't stop them scoring for long.

Stars will be hoping for better things on Sunday against Reading Rockets.

Solent scorers: Shelley Steele 13, Nikki Scrivener 10, Christie Rourke 9, Kath Hield 5, Eszter Ball 4, Rosie Chase 4, Jodi Jerram 1, Emily Brookfield.