SOLENT STARS returned to the National Cup on Sunday and while their appearance in the competition was all too brief, at least it wasn't as destructive as some had feared.

Admittedly the outcome was hardly close, but given the lack of form Stars had shown going into the match, things could have been very much worse than this.

Sure, it was pretty one-sided but at least Stars had some moments to look back on against Premier League opposition crammed with expensive American imports. Most of those moments came early on when former Brighton player Mark Jackson did everything he could to cajole and fashion a much-improved performance from those shown so far this season.

It was Jackson's three pointer on the back of a similar shot from David Butterworth that drew Stars level after they had slipped behind at the start. Top scorer Adam Willis then put Stars a couple of point ahead.

That was the only time they held the lead as Brighton went on to dominate the middle part of the match. Hard though they grafted, Stars weren't able to keep the score down and with points increasingly elusive at the other end, the match was soon put beyond their reach.

Trailing 56-32 at half time, Stars made few inroads until the final quarter of the tie when Alan McDonald twice broke clear to score before adding some more points from the free throw line. Anthony Rutter also weighed in with scoring shots as Solent refused to be overawed by the task facing them. As Stars busily worked their way around court, Bears were forced to recall some of their starting five to reassume the control everyone had assumed would be theirs in any event.

The lack of on court experience told against Solent, who could have done with coach Mark Scott being fit. He's still recovering from an operation on his heel - but hopes to be available for selection by the end of November.

"I want to play again but it's a question of not doing so until I'm completely ready," he said. "I tried to play when I was injured last season and that didn't work.

"I think I can help the side as you can have far more impact being out there on court with them than you can standing on the sidelines."

Scorers: Willis 12, McDonald 12, Butterworth 9, Jackson 8, Rutter 5, Neale 5, Donaldson 5, Glover 4. --

Solent Stars 60 Brighton Bears 99

IT'S now six defeats out of six in the National Trophy for Solent as their poor start to the season continued on Saturday.

Facing another side who don't even compete at National Conference level, Stars were disappointingly found wanting as they were outrun, outfought and comprehensively outscored.

The closest of the Trophy defeats (if you can call it close) was some 19 points - something that highlights the massive improvement that is needed in Stars' all-round play. It also highlights how badly Stars need to push through the proposed signing of Dominique Jones before the league season begins at the start of next month.

As in so many of the recent matches, Stars played fairly well for most of the first quarter and weren't completely out of the chase as half-time approached. However, a succession of turnovers and missed opportunities saw them slip 48-37 behind.

Needing to start strongly in the third quarter, Stars couldn't find any cohesion or attacking threat as they added just 13 points to their total. With several unsuccessful attempts to score some three pointers handing possession to the home side, Stars again faded badly as a competitive unit in the final quarter to end up on the wrong side of another heavy reverse.

Scorers: Butterworth 13, McDonald 12, Jackson 10, Willis 10, Glover 6, St Omer 6, Morton 3, Donaldson 3, Marsh 2.

Another weekend double header awaits Stars who continue with Trophy matches at London United tomorrow (Saturday) before moving on to play at Worthing on Sunday.