Vulcans first win in NSW Cup

The Auckland Vulcans rebounded from two straight defeats to trounce previously unbeaten Central Newcastle 44-18 in their New South Wales Cup clash at Henham Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Newcastle boasted a number of players who turned out for the Knights at NRL level last year.

Among them were halfback Luke Walsh, prop Mitchell Sargent (the ex-North Queenslander), second rower Mark Taufua and utility Michael Young.

But despite that experience the visitors were unable to stay with the Vulcans.

Including just two players with any NRL games behind them - Vodafone Warriors winger Michael Crockett and centre Aidan Kirk - the Vulcans were transformed from the side swamped 34-10 by Wentworthville last weekend and edged out 22-20 by Central Coast a fortnight ago.

They finished the first half with three tries in the space of seven minutes to lead 22-6 at halftime and went into overdrive in the vital third quarter with four more tries to take a commanding 44-6 lead.

It could have been more but for a couple of would-be tries being rubbed out.

Newcastle's only consolation was two tries in the closing minutes of the match.

Match details:

At Henham Park, Otahuhu:

Auckland Vulcans 44 (Michael Crockett 2, Arron Pawley, Jeremiah Pai, Malo Solomona, Pita Godinet, Raymond Ioane, Karl Guttenbeil tries; William Heta 4 conversions, penalty; Aaron Heremaia conversion).

Central Newcastle 18 (Matthew Burnham, Willie Tupou, Scott Briggs tries; Luke Walsh 3 conversions). Halftime: 22-6. Referee: Luke Potter.