SOLENT Stars have been blessed with home draws right across the board for next season's National Cup and Shield competitions.

The senior men's first team will entertain the winners of the Swindon Sonics versus Taunton Tigers game in the National Cup second round on September 25 and victory will earn them another home game, with Reading Rockets the most likely opponents.

The newly-launched men's second team will play in the National Shield. They tip off against Plymouth Raiders II on November 6 and if they win, they have a further home tie against either Taunton Tigers or Cardiff Phoenix on December 12.

Stars' treble-winning senior women's first team entertain the winners of the Cardiff Clippers/Southend Swifts tie on October 17. Another home game will follow on November 6 if they overcome their second round opponents, having been given a bye in the first round.

Following the club"s decision to part company with senior men's coach Mark Scott, Solent could go continental.

Stars looked at a Spanish coach and two Spanish players in specially arranged practice games last week ahead of their main trials at Hamble Community Sports College on Saturday, June 26 (3pm). The senior women's trials will be held three hours earlier (12 noon) at the same venue.

Solent Stars skipper Mark Jackson is attending trials for the England squad being assembled by new national coach Peter Scantlebury.