CHRIS Bridge’s part in Warrington Wolves’ Challenge Cup quarter-final success against Hull Kingston Rovers at the weekend should not be underestimated.
His towering touchline conversion to Matt King's try in the 67th minute was absolutely stunning.
Whistles and jeers rained down on him from the Robins fans crammed into the South Stand behind him.
It was a pressure kick that, if successful, would help to begin Wolves’ turnaround having been staring down the barrels of a Challenge Cup exit as they trailed 22-12 just a few minutes minutes earlier.
And, under the glare of the BBC television audience too, he kept his cool magnificently to put Wolves back in striking distance and keep primrose and blue hopes alive.
Bridge, in fact, held a 100 per cent kicking record in the match, keeping his cool again in the 71st minute to convert his own try from distance and give Wolves a two-point lead. Not bad for a player who is not the team’s recognised first-choice goal kicker.
He has only taken on the kicking duties in the last three games because of the absence of injured winger Chris Hicks.
It was more than two years ago that he had kicked his last conversions for the first team - ironically against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup fourth round success at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in March 2007.
Bridge’s input against Hull KR at the weekend was more than just the goalkicking though.
He has really stepped up to the mark since Martin Gleeson’s departure to Wigan to push himself as the first-choice right centre, initially developing a strong partnership with Hicks.
His sharpness has returned after spending almost all of 2008 on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles that also saw him miss out on a place in the Ireland squad for the World Cup last autumn.
Bridge’s form has continued to develop and he got himself in the right place to support Adrian Morley’s rampaging burst at Craven Park, eventually accepting a try scoring pass from Lee Briers to level the scores at 22-22.
It was his half break and fine offload that put King away en route to Jon Clarke crossing to put Wolves ahead for the first time in the 43rd minute.
And more importantly, it was one of his scoots around the ruck area that put Wolves into position for Briers to be able to kick the all-important match-winning ‘golden point’ drop goal in extra time.
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