Pre-Match Widnes Interview | Ben Jones-Bishop

20/06/2024

Ben Jones-Bishop hopes the lads can back up last weekend’s victory against Featherstone with another win this Sunday as Widnes Vikings come to the Steel City.

The Eagles returned to winning ways last weekend by the narrowest of margins in an 18-16 win, a game in which saw BJB start at full back.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's big game against the Vikings, we caught up with Bish earlier this week to gather his thoughts on last weekend’s victory, featuring at full back, and the test that awaits the Eagles in two days time.

“It’s another big test for us this weekend against Widnes, it’s great to play back-to-back home games as it feels ages since we have played there, so it will be nice to be back out there in front of all our supporters”, said Jones-Bishop.

“It was a big test for us last week against Featherstone, but it’s one which resulted in a big win for ourselves. They’re a big, strong side and especially coming off the back of our trip to Wembley, last week was a physical and emotional week for us.

“It was a tough week in training, we were a bit flat in training leading up to last weekend’s game, but we all knew that we needed a response and I’m so pleased with how we started the game.

“Second half didn’t really go to plan, but we know good teams must be patient and wait in there. I felt we defended our line well; we hung in there and we come up with a play at the end in chasing down a kick which resulted in the winning try.”

With Matty Marsh missing last weekend through suspension, it meant Jones-Bishop moved into the full-back position, something which he thoroughly enjoyed as Jack Hansen moved back into the halves to partner Cory Aston.

Jones-Bishop added “Playing full back was quite tough, I’m not used to as much running, but it was good. It’s always nice to play there as and when I’m needed to.

“I’m quite a different full back to Marshy (Matty Marsh), I’m more of a runner, whereas he has that pass in him, so I tried to allow Cory and Jack to dictate the game whilst I tried to use my running ability to help the boys from midfield into attack.”

Speaking on Sunday's game against Widnes, Jones-Bishop knows that the side must cut out any errors from last week and remain strong in defence once again if we’re to achieve the best outcome against a side who are only a place behind us in the league table.

“Widnes have started well, they’re just behind us in the table and have made a similar start in the league to ourselves, so we know just how much of an important game this one is.

“I know a fair bit about them, and we’ve come up against them several times over recent years. I know a fair few of their outside backs as well, so we know we’re going to have to be very good defensively, better than last week, if we’re to get the win this weekend.

“We gave a lot of cheap ball away against Featherstone last weekend, so hopefully it’s something we can cut out this weekend because we know Widnes will punish us if we come up with too many errors.

“The fans have played a massive role this year whether that’s at home or even away, we really appreciate their backing, and we can always hear them, so hopefully they can help play there part once again.

“Hopefully we can go out there, give them a performance to be proud of, and hopefully we can get the win.”