Firsts call for flyer Bridge

WINGER Terry Bridge, a prolific try-scorer last season for the trophy-winning reserves, has been drafted into the Oldham RL first-team squad for pre-season training.

The highly-rated former Wigan St Cuthbert’s speed merchant scored a spectacular hat-trick of tries in the reserves 29-24 grand final win against Widnes Vikings at Whitebank at the end of last season.

He becomes the fifth member of that under-23s side to step up to senior status, alongside four who have since signed pro contracts, Jamie Dallimore, Alex Thompson, David Cookson and Danny Langtree.

Bridge is one of only four specialist wingers in the squad. The others are Shaun Robinson, John Gillam and Lucas Onyango and if last season can be used as a guide it may be that Robinson will be called upon to fill the vacancy at full-back caused by Ben Heaton’s move to Halifax.

“Bridge is to be included in all the senior squad’s pre-season work and he is shaping up well,” said assistant coach Martin Roden.

Roden, who doubles up as the club's conditioner, gave each player a weights and cardiovascular training programme a month ago and, over last weekend, each member of the squad was required to report to Roden’s gym to be tested on the work he had done so far.

“I set the bar pretty high,” said Roden. “Test results don’t lie; everybody has worked hard in the off-season, especially the younger players.”

One of those, centre David Cookson, posted results which Roden described as outstanding.

“He’s as strong as an ox already,” he added. “While that’s not everything you want to see in a rugby league player it nevertheless means a lot to both him and the coaching staff.”

Pre-season work starts in earnest on Saturday when the squad will be put through their paces over tough terrain in Borsdane Woods at Hindley.

After that they will be in every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with the emphasis each Saturday to be put on strength and stamina building at various outdoor venues, including Strinesdale.

Roden said: “I’ve got Rochdale judo hall on standby in case the weather turns against us, but if it remains decent I plan to give the boys a good test every Saturday over a different outdoor course each week.”