Fiat’s Chris Bale storms the Under-21s boards in last night’s shock Division One result, a two-point win for the youngsters. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0674165)

THE Collins Stewart teams edged out the two Le Mont Saint sides in two close opening matches of the Yorkshire Guernsey men’s Division One 2008-9 basketball season.

Collins Stewart took care of Le Mont Saint 78-75, while Inferno got the better of Fiat 54-49 after over time at Beau Sejour.

Fiat were up by 12 points at one point before Inferno came back to clinch it.

‘We came into the game with no expectations as they are a strong team,’ said Inferno’s player-coach Adam Farish. ‘But they never really capitalised on our slow start and once we got on a run at the end, they looked a bit shaky, started making excuses and went individual while we played as a team. Everyone played a role and contributed to the win.’

Farish said it was a team effort but he did pick out one of his players – 19-year-old big man Dan Marriott, who was up against Fiat’s island veteran Chris Lamb. Marriott was also Inferno’s top scorer with 13 points under the post.