SOLENT Stars came through a tough defensive battle with Taunton Tigers to maintain their winning start to the National Women's League Division 2 South.

Despite injury problems which deprived them of forwards Sarah Cooper and Catherine Brownsell, they won 49-35 with Lynne Powell and Carrie Jones stepping confidently into the starting five.

Although Stars struggled to apply their usual defensive pressure early on, seven points on the trot from Vikki Willmore gave them a 17-12 first-quarter lead.

Eszter Ball came off the bench to hit an open jump shot and junior player Jodie Jerram, making her first senior appearance, gave Stars some defensive energy and she hit a big three to stretch the lead to ten points.

But lack of concentration saw Taunton hit back with eight unanswered points and Solent had to reintroduce Katerina Syngellakis and Powell to settle themselves back into a six-point lead.

The third quarter turned into a real dogfight with Solent failing to score for over four minutes until Jones widened the gap to ten points.

A great defensive effort kept Taunton at bay in the closing quarter as Powell snuffed out all hope of a comeback from the West Country visitors, aided by some excellent offensive ball movement from the team.

Solent head off to the Welsh valleys this weekend for their second round National Cup game against holders Rhondda Rebels.

"It will be a great test for us and our new team," said coach Michael Ball. "I know the players are really looking forward to the challenge of testing themselves against the best in the country."

Solent scorers: Syngellakis 14, Wiseman 9, Willmore 9, Powell 6, Jones 6, Jerram 3, Ball 2.