An impressive second quarter defensive effort proved the difference as YMCA overcame LARA 72-55 in GBL Winter Championship men’s Division 1 action on Tuesday night.

The Giants started the better, leading 23-17 at quarter time.

However, Y turned the game on its head by holding Lara to just four points in the second period, while scoring 16 of their own to have a six-point lead at the main break.

Lewie Varley had another impressive night for YMCA finishing with 20 points, while Riley Herbert (17 points) and Varley’s brother Emerson (12 points) also played well.

With Ash Cannan again missing for Lara, it was again Lindsay Cole (18 points) and Rob Harding (14) who provided the offensive spark.

The first quarter proved the difference as ladder leader PIVOT CITY consolidated top spot with a 65-55 win over VYTIS.

If the match wasn’t over as a contest after a 22-8 first quarter, it was done by half time when the Pivotonians outscored the Knights 16-8 in the second.

Vytis did cut the margin back to 11 by the final break after outscoring the reigning champions 18-7.

Steve Packer paced Pivot City’s scoring with 19 points while Matt McCormack contributed 15.

Steve Wiasak was the standout for the Knights with 24 points.

SHARKS had to work hard for their 55-52 result against TRY BOYS.

The margin was never greater than three points at any of the breaks, but it was Sharks with their noses in front at the end.

Arnaud Lenferna and Dane Bow both shot 13 points for the winners, with Shane Hunter scoring 11.

Youngster Matt Johns was the lone Bear in double figures with 13 points of his own.

PIVOT CITY stayed in touch with the women’s Division 1 top four with an impressive 76-60 win over ROVERS.

Pivot took a three-point lead at quarter time and extended it at every break from then on, as they had four players score in double figures.

SEABL Lady Supercat Bianca Cheever starred with 20 points, big Lauren Moloney had 18, Shayna Poto 17 and Alli Marsh 13.

Ellie Stevens kept Rovers competitive with 27 points. Grace Parker (11 points) was her only teammate in double digits.

YMCA took three quarters to shake off LARA before running out 81-60 winners to climb to second.

Y led by just four points at three-quarter time before pulling away with 26-9 final period.

Veteran guard Vicki King was again impressive with 29 points, while fellow Big V Lady Supercat Charmaine Ferguson contributed 24.

Caitlin Shadbolt was again the star for the Giants finishing with 26 points, with Ash Rozenfeld chiming in with 12.

SHARKS were made to work hard in the first half before claiming a 71-48 victory over TRY BOYS.

The defending champions held just a five-point at the main break, but broke the contest open with an 18-6 third period.

Georgia Varley (24 points) and Alex Duck (22) again provided the bulk of the scoring for Sharks, but unlike last week, received some offensive support with Jesse Christiaans scoring 10 points.

Kendyl Collins (13 points) again paced the Bears’ scoring, with Tash Daffy (12 points) and Angela Morris (10 points) also contributing on the scoreboard.