VIKINGS WIDNES vikings have completed the signing of two new players, taking their close season tally to seven.

The club have acquired 23 year old Ian Watson, a goalkicking scrum half who has Super League experience with Salford, and international forward Stephen Holgate, 28, who has played his entire professional career in the top flight.

Vikings coach David Hulme this week told Sports World he was delighted with the latest additions to his squad.

"Both players have an excellent attitude to training and I believe their top flight experience will be invaluable."

Ian Watson has spent his last three seasons playing his rugby at Swinton.

This year he swept the board winning all three player of the season awards at Gigg Lane, winning most votes from the supporters club, young supporters and also his fellow players .

A product of Hensingham ARL, Stephen Holgate moved from Workington to Wigan in 1997 in a big money transfer deal.

He was the signed by Hull at the start of the 1999 season and when the Sharks folded at the end of that year the powerful forward was snapped up by Halifax Blue Sox.

Originally a second rower, he has played most of his recent rugby at prop.

David said: "Stephen's experience will be a superb addition to our team and his power will add strength to our formidable forward line.

"Ian is another great signing for the club.

"He is a great organiser with a fair turn of pace and outstanding goal kicking skills.

"Plus, the very fact he scooped all three player awards at Swinton last year, speaks for itself.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.