SOLENT STARS senior men go into basketball action at Fleming Park tonight (8pm) needing a second suc- cessive victory to transform their season.

Having finally recorded their first league success against Kingston Wildcats 77-62 last weekend, Solent now have an inviting home fixture against bottom of the league club Essex and Herts Leopards, who have lost all five of their opening league fixtures. Leopards reformed over the summer with players from Ware Rebels and London Leopards. They have been joined by Roger Lloyd and Brian Moore, both experienced players who moved from the now defunct Sutton Pumas squad.

It can only be a matter of time before the Leopards team gets its act together and their two American players settle in to prove awkward opponents.

Solent, on the other hand, desperately need to consolidate on their first league victory and take this opportunity to lift themselves from eighth spot in the National League Division 1.

New EU signing Chris Bevin hopes to contribute more as his match fitness developes.

His ball handling was impressive last week and, if he can improve on his shooting, Stars believe he will be a valuable asset.

His presence allows coach Alan Cunningham to rest Mark Jackson for periods in the game which, in turn, will help Jackson's contribution towards the end of the match.

Nick O'Harabe could also be a key contributor tonight as he seeks to recapture last week's form, which yielded several rebounds and 27 points.

Earlier in the evening (6pm) Solent men's second string take on Plymouth Raiders in the National Shield, a knockout competition for Division 3 clubs.

Solent are guaranteed home matches until the semi-final stage if they can overcome their first, second and quarter-final opponents.

Plymouth come with a 5-1 league record from Division Three (West) and will prove a stern test for Mick Byrne's squad.

Byrne has no fitness worries now that Liam Wyatt has recovered from a toe injury. He also has a new signing - 6 ft 5 ins, 18-year-old James Chubb from the Salisbury area - to heighten competition for places.