Victory for Auckland Lions in Sydney

The Vodafone Auckland Lions turned a two-point halftime deficit into a handsome 42-22 win over Wests Magpies in their New South Wales Premier League encounter at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday.

After conceding an early try to the home side, the Vodafone Auckland Lions went to an 8-6 lead through unconverted tries by winger Malo Solomona and centre Tony Martin.

The Magpies then scored twice, former All Black Frank Bunce's son Chance grabbing one of the touchdowns.

But right on halftime the Aucklanders cut the margin back to 14-16 when hooker Lance Hohaia scored. Martin, playing for the side for the first time, converted.

And the Vodafone Auckland Lions were in again in the opening minutes of the second spell when Solomona snared his second try.

Martin again converted to put the side in front 20-16 before a try to loose forward Corey Lawrie - again converted by Martin - stretched the advantage to 26-16.

The Magpies had the margin back to 22-26 with 25 minutes left but the Vodafone Auckland Lions dominated the rest of the contest. Solomona completed a treble, second rower Sonny Fai finished off a length-of-the-field raid started by Solomona and Hohaia scored his second right on fulltime.

With his triple strike, Solomona is now the team's equal top try scorer with 12; Fai also moved up to 12 with his try today. The win lifted the side to 16 points, keeping alive their chance of making the play-offs.

Match details:

At Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown:

Vodafone Auckland Lions 42 (Malo Solomona 3, Lance Hohaia 2, Tony Martin, Corey Lawrie, Sonny Fai tries; Tony Martin 5 conversions).

Wests Magpies 22 (Pat Galea 2, Chance Bunce, Mark Hendy tries; Simon Greaves 2 conversions). Halftime: 16-14 Magpies.