SOUTHEND Swifts Under-18 girls made a losing start to the new National League South Division season with a low-scoring 49-34 defeat to the reigning national champion Haringey Angels.

The pair, who squared off in last season's national play-off semi-finals, fought out a tough defensive battle at FitzWimarc School with just 14 points being scored in the opening quarter.

The Angels led 8-6 after ten minutes before Swifts started the second quarter very strongly to move into a 15-10 lead.

Unfortunately, this only served to wake up the visitors, who then embarked on a 13-0 run of their own to take a 25-17 half-time advantage.

The third period was again dominated by the defences and although Southend managed to close to within six points on two occasions, Haringey were up 35-25 going into the final quarter.

Swifts cut the lead to single figures as both teams traded baskets before the Angels scored the final six points unanswered to give the final scoreline a slightly flattering appearance.

It was a different story for the Under-16 girls, who romped to a convincing 102-31 victory over Northants Lightning Too.

Having won their first match of the season, Swifts went into the game full of confidence against a young Northants team.

And the hosts took full advantage by scoring the first 24 points of the match to effectively end the contest within the opening six minutes.

Swifts led 28-5 at the end of the first quarter and a further 17-0 run took Southend into half-time up 49-7.

With such a commanding lead, Swifts gave some prolonged court time to promising 13-year-olds Katie Holland and Francesca Moody and both took their chance with relish as they contributed at both ends of the court.

Runs of 8-0 and 12-0 strengthened Swifts' position and with one period remaining the score stood at 71-17.

Northants continued to battle and started the fourth with an 8-4 run that spurred the hosts out of any complacency that had set in.

Passing the ball around beautifully in the final three minutes, the home side scored the game's final 17 points to complete a memorable victory.

Swifts leading scorers: Grace Keys 20, Kitty Hall 18, Hannah Culwick 16, Ellie Shaxon 16.