Manchester Basketball beat Cheshire Phoenix 92-89 in a breath-taking opening day fixture in front of a sell-out crowd at National Basketball Performance Centre.

Kaiyem Cleary’s 20-point game spearheaded the host’s victory, with Max Jones’ 17 points and Zak Irvin’s double-double playing monumental roles in Manchester’s triumph.

Like Cleary, Cheshire’s Skyler White racked up 20 points in an impressive performance for the visitors.

The sweat-busting thriller was a perfect start to life in Manchester for new head coach Mathew Otten, who will be hoping to replicate his previous success in Austria at his new home in the North West.

With the sold-out crowd behind them, Manchester came firing out of the blocks, scoring 25 points to Cheshire’s 16 in the first quarter. Tim Adetukasi had pinpoint accuracy, sinking three baskets in the early Manchester storm.

The second was a different story, with Cheshire beginning to flex their muscles. The visitors scored 22 points to narrow Manchester’s lead to seven. Cheshire’s White was the stalwart in this shift, as he made 11 points with a basket and three gorgeous threes. In reply, Manchester’s Jones made two threes, two and two free throws to get the lively crowd on their feet. This kept the hosts ahead as the teams left for the locker rooms.

Cheshire dictated the next quarter with 27 points, giving the visitors the lead for the first time in the clash. But a four pt play from Cleary signalled Manchester's intent, as they edged the tie to a one possession game, 63-65.

Manchester came back firmly in the fourth, scoring 29 points in a thrilling finale that saw the sides trade leads, before Cleary and Smith Jr replied with crucial baskets, Max Jones emphatic block in the dying minutes signalled it was going to be Manchester’s day.

The game ended 92-89 victory, the perfect home-coming for Cleary who was named the CultureBox Player of the Game.

Next up for Manchester is the Surrey 89ers on Saturday 27 September at Surrey Sports Park before hosting our first ever European game in the ENBL versus Keila - tickets are available here.

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