Wolves Bridging the gap (From Warrington Guardian)

Wolves Bridging the gap

WOLVES continue to strive to bring the country's top youth talent to The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Bradford Bulls' promising stand off Chris Bridge is the latest quality act to take Paul Cullen's interest.

After a long and patient chase by Warrington, Bulls are finally prepared to sell the 20-year-old for an undisclosed fee.

Wolves are also delighted to have agreed terms with the player yesterday, Wednesday.

Bridge's signing is not yet complete as it is subject to a medical examination tonight, Thursday.

Warrington are gaining a reputation for snapping up hot property from rival clubs as they bridge the gap of several years passing by without enough young talent coming off their own production line - something which the club is putting right for years to come.

Bridge is set to join three other fellow England Academy internationals that are now on Wolves' full time books.

Back row forwards Andy Bracek and Simon Grix, who were captured from St Helens and Halifax respectively after Super League IX, are already receiving plaudits after strong performances for Wolves during their festive season friendlies.

Steve Pickersgill is also impressing after moving up through the Warrington ranks.

Wolves' bid to capture Bridge is a further indication of the club's ambitions to become one of the game's formidable forces on a consistent basis.

It is considered that Bridge will be able to build at Warrington on an outstanding start to his career.

He should have no trouble settling in as he knows Toa Kohe-Love and Logan Swann from their time at Bradford.

The former Oldham-based amateur, who made 14 appearances for Bradford last year, is an under 21s Grand Final man of the match winner with Bradford and a slayer of the mighty Australian Schoolboys from his spell with England Academy.

He has great pace, vision and versatility. Stand off is his preferred slot but the six-footer can also operate at scrum half, hooker and in the three-quarters.

This week's moves for Bridge come after Cullen declaring that the pre-season preparations are on track following friendly matches against Barrow Raiders and Widnes Vikings.

He said: "We got out of the festive period exactly what we wanted. We gave some of our senior players a run out and we had a look at some of the combinations that will be available to us next season."