Bass on utility value, QLT impact and ferocious forwards

12/05/2022

For the past couple of weeks, Jason Bass has had game time at both full-back and wing in the two games against Leigh Centurions. 

In the league game a fortnight ago, the former York man was chosen to be the number one due to Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e being sidelined.

With the return of QLT for the 1895 Cup semi-final, Bass retained his spot in the team but was moved to the flank. 

Speaking about the different roles and challenges faced, he said: “It’s been good," 

“It’s interesting to change up positions and takes a bit of a different mindset but it’s nice to get that variation. 

“I like to pride myself on the fact that I can play anywhere and I’ll do my best to do a job, wherever they put me. 

“I’m just happy that Tubbs and the coaching staff are confident to put me in there and give me a runout when they need me to.” 

Regarding the impact of QLT since his loan move from Keighley Cougars, and whether there is any pressure when taking over at the full-back spot, Bass added: “The only pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves to perform,” 

“QLT’s come in on loan and is a brilliant bloke to have around the club. 

“He works hard, he’s always giving a lending hand even if he is a wind-up merchant most of the time!” 

The ex-England Students international lauded the effort of the club, and in particular the forward pack, against the Centurions in the semi-final. 

“I don’t think it gets said enough, we have some of the toughest middles in our league. 

"They work so hard as we ask them to do a lot of defending and their fair share in attack because we do throw the ball around quite a lot! 

“We ask them to do so much and they absolutely stood up and gave everything against one of the better teams in the competition. 

“To be honest, I’m just proud to be on the same team as them! I thought we were outstanding and we ran Leigh close, but in the end the injuries killed us and we ran out of juice at the end. 

“It’s a good feeling to have run them so close.” 

The Eagles travel to The Shay on Sunday to face Halifax in the Betfred Championship. 

With both sides having playoff aspirations, it will be a big all-Yorkshire clash. Bass outlined that there is a challenge in every game in this division - this weekend being no different. 

“Every game is a big game and each team is capable of beating one another,” he said. 

“We’ll have to turn up as Fax have a good squad. 

“We’re happy, we’ve prepped well and we’ll see what happens on the day. 

“We’ll go there and put our best foot forward.”

By Dan Fowler, photo by Alex Coleman