Milestone moment proved crucial to Wakefield Trinity fightback, reveals Ben Jones-Bishop
The winger’s milestone effort proved the difference as it put Wakefield back ahead on the way to Thursday’s 28-24 success.
They had trailed 24-12 at the interval, having seen some decent early work undone by conceding three tries inside just 10 minutes before the break.
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Hide AdBut Chris Chester’s side rallied with three of their own in the second period when they also kept their promoted opponents scoreless. Jones-Bishop said: “It was a tough game, very physical, but I think our middles stood up really well.
“We started well and then that second 20 minutes in the first half it unravelled a bit for us.
“But we adjusted a few things at half-time and to come out in the second, fight back and stop them scoring any points, was a great effort really and something to build on.”
Jones-Bishop’s century has come via 56 tries for home-town Leeds Rhinos, where he started his career and won two Grand Finals, plus another 11 on a season-long loan at Harlequins in 2010.
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Hide AdHe crossed 16 times during his solitary season with Salford Red Devils in 2015 prior to his move to Wakefield where he has notched 15 while he also crossed twice in England Knights’ colours.
“It is nice to reach 100,” added the 28-year-old, who has three tries for the season.
“I didn’t know about it until last week; Wakefield tagged me on something on Twitter.
“It’d be interesting to see how many games it’s taken, but it is nice. I’ve enjoyed playing in some good teams and outside some great centres and half-backs as well and that does help.”
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Hide AdHaving bounced back from a heavy defeat at Leeds, Trinity will hope to make it four wins from five games when they head to Catalans Dragons in a week.
“At the minute, we’re playing teams that will possibly be in and around us in the sixth to eighth positions so it’s important we keep improving and keep taking the points,” said Jones-Bishop, who helped Trinity to eighth spot and the play-offs last season.
“It’s a good start, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. It’s a long season and we’re not where we want to be just yet.”
There was an element of controversy about his crucial 65th-minute try with Leigh claiming he had not reached the line, having taken Sam Williams’s kick.
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Hide AdThe video referee awarded it, however, and Jones-Bishop added: “I didn’t know, to be honest.
“I couldn’t really see. My head was in the floor so I just got up.
“I was ready to play the ball if I was short and just see what the referee did.”
On his stay so far at Belle Vue, he added: “It’s good. That second half probably showed we really work hard for each other.
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Hide Ad“We built on last year. When I came to the club it was massive being in the ‘Million Pound Game’ beforehand.
“But we made the top eight and we’re looking to constantly improve.
“Hopefully, when we do, our bits on the field and then off the field will slowly improve as well and the club can go places.”