SOLENT Stars' Under-20s proved too strong for England's Under-18 elite as the local lads triumphed 78-46 in weekend friendly action.

Having been together for a couple of seasons, Solent were a hard defensive nut to crack, conceding only 16 points in the whole of the second half.

David Mackay top-scored with 25, while Clayton Milner and Gary Hughes controlled the boards with 14 rebounds each.

The Solent Under-20's next game on November 11 represents a much stiffer challenge. They travel away to Haringey, a team they beat by one point in the league last season and then lost to by three points in the national play-offs.

Solent scorers: David Mackay 25, Gary Hughes 17, Clayton Milner 13, Grant Smith 10, Rob McDonald 6, Ryan Payne 5, Ollie Marsh 2.

Solent's 'Rising Stars' enjoyed unprecedented success in the England trials at Lilleshall.

Matthew Guymon was selected for the 1987-born boys' development squad while Paul Loosemore, Jack Holmar and Lawrence Brown made the 1986-born squad.

For the girls, Alice Walton and Nicola Scrivener were selected for the 1987-born squad and Charlotte Heron the 1986-born squad.

Stars' unbeaten Under-18 and Under-16 teams are in National League action at Totton College this weekend. The Under-16s play Gloster Jets (1pm) and the Under-18s play Southampton Trailblazers (3pm).