Fax duo Kavanagh and Jones sign new contracts

Ben Kavanagh and Sion Jones have both signed new contracts with Halifax RLFC.
Coral Challenge Cup Quarter-Final.
Bradford Bulls v Halifx RLFC.
Halifax's Ben Kavanagh is tackled by Bradford's George Flanagan.
2nd June 2019.
Picture Jonathan GawthorpeCoral Challenge Cup Quarter-Final.
Bradford Bulls v Halifx RLFC.
Halifax's Ben Kavanagh is tackled by Bradford's George Flanagan.
2nd June 2019.
Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe
Coral Challenge Cup Quarter-Final. Bradford Bulls v Halifx RLFC. Halifax's Ben Kavanagh is tackled by Bradford's George Flanagan. 2nd June 2019. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

Kavanagh joined his hometown club on a permanent deal from Hull Kingston Rovers during the winter of 2018 .

The former Siddal junior settled in well during his first season, playing his part in the run to the clubs first challenge cup semi final in 31 years. But his second year was overshadowed by an unfortunate injury in Fax’s first outing of 2020.

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Kavanagh suffered a dislocated hip during a pre season friendly against Super League side Hull Fc, and was ruled out early on in 2020. Kavanagh was progressing well through his rehabilitation, and an early return to the game looked on the cards. But the arrival of Covid-19 and the cancellation of the Championship season put plans of a return on hold.

The 32-year-old told the club’s website: “I’m happy to hae signed for another year, it’s always good to represent your hometown club. There are some big characters that have moved on and will be missed, but we have made some great signings and are putting together a squad that will be up there next year.”

“It’s not been the best year for me personally through my injury, but with the season getting cancelled it has allowed me a longer period to recover. I’m looking forward to getting back into pre season with some old and new faces and back in to playing some good rugby.”

“Kav has made great progress in his return from one of the worst rugby related injuries I’ve seen,” said head coach Simon Grix. “It’s been a slow process of recovery for him and this enforced break hasn’t helped in that respect but he’s well on his way to reminding us what he is capable of in 2021.”

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Welsh international Jones has signed a two-year extension which will keep him at The Shay until the end of 2022.

“I’m over the moon to have signed for the club for another two years,” said Jones. “Last season was a bit of a tough one for me because it seemed like just as I started getting back to it, the season got ended. It’s really exciting to sign a new deal so I can repay the faith they’ve put into me.”

Jones began his rugby league career with Pontyclun Panthers ARLFC in his native Wales before rising through the reserve ranks at Halifax to earn a first team number. But a series of injuries hampered his 2019 season, and the young forward was excited about a potential return to action following a lengthy lay off.

“Halifax has really been a home away from home for me ever since I left South Wales. Going into my 5th season with the club, I still think the best years are ahead of me and with a bit of luck I’ll go through those years in a blue and white jersey. Seeing the team Grixy is putting together next year is exciting. It’s a real good mix of older lads who have been at Fax for a while, new signings and some young lads coming through. And I think I speak for all the lads when I say that we’re looking forward to getting back to The Shay next season.”

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And a return from injury for a fresh and recuperated Jones was encouraging to Fax head coach Simon Grix.

“Sion will be like a new signing its been that long out for him. He’s been great in that period of rehabilitation and done his best to contribute. The injury is behind him now and we’ll be working hard to get Sion back out in blue and white, at the level we need him at, for 2021.”

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