Jack Owens commits future to Widnes

James Gordon

Owens, 25, returned to the Vikings ahead of the 2019 campaign from Leigh, having come through the club’s academy before moving on, and is nearing a century of appearances for his home town club.

He was named the club’s Player of the Year at their end of season dinner and has now agreed a deal for 2020, despite the club reverting to part-time status.

Owens said: “I’m buzzing to re-sign. I’ve been speaking to Phil Finney for a while, so to get the contract signed once we were out of Special Measures and be able to look forward now, it’s great.

“I didn’t want to leave this club this year, and I love playing for Widnes. My family and I have supported this club for their whole life, and I’m buzzing I get to carry on playing here.

“When I signed last year, I wanted to help us get back to Super League. It’s going to take a few more years than we probably expected it to, but we’re going to rebuild and work as hard as we can over the next few years to do that.”

Owens has scored 270 points in 29 appearances this season, scoring the match-winning try in the 1895 Cup semi-final win at Leigh.