Cross agrees new Widnes deal

Australian forward Ben Cross has signed a one-year contract extension with Widnes Vikings.

Cross, 33, moved to the Stobart Stadium ahead of the Vikings’ return to the top flight this season, having split last year at Leeds and Wigan.

He said: “Having originally signed for just the one year, I now realise I’ve got at least another season left in me and I was keen for that time to be spent at Widnes.

“My body is still feeling pretty good and there are signs that we are definitely improving and moving in the right direction, so I would have been foolish to look elsewhere.

“Widnes are building for the future and they are on a massive learning curve. I’ve been at successful clubs before and believe me, it took them a long time to get where they currently are, and it is going to be exactly the same here.

“I’m extremely happy to be in a position where I can play my part in the long-term progression of this club and the ground work they can do in these initial years will hold them in good stead for the future.”

Cross played two games in State of Origin for New South Wales in 2008, and played for Canberra, Melbourne and Newcastle during his time in the NRL.

He crossed for the first try of his senior career in Widnes’ recent win over Huddersfield, and followed that up with another four-pointer against Wigan.

Widnes Head Coach Denis Betts said: “Ben approached us and expressed an interest in doing another year and we were only too happy to go along with his suggestion. He is really happy at the club and we are really happy with him.”