The mark was six, set by halfback Anthony Cowan in a 2010 clash against Old Bar. Bridge came close earlier this year, notching five against Wauchope where he almost equaled the record.

“I had a chance but I was held up over the line,’’ he said.

Bridge had three tries by halftime. By the fulltime siren he had seven and his name in the record books. He is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. Bridge was nominated by Wingham Rugby League Club.

“I knew that six was the record but I didn’t think I’d get another opportunity this year,’’ Bridge said.

“But at halftime I knew I was a chance.’’

He’s proud of the fact that six of the tries weren’t gimmes, Bridge using his pace, anticipation and positional play to beat an badly beaten defensive line.

“They were fair dinkum,’’ he said, while admitting that captain-coach Kurt Lewis handed him the ball with the line wide open for the record breaker. He reasons that there was still plenty of time on the clock and thinks he would have been a chance even if Lewis decided to score himself.

Bridge kicked the conversion for the last try to give him 30 points for the game.

His mum and dad, Wayne and Candy and grandmother, Merelene Bridge, watched his effort from the sideline while elder brother Matt was on the field with him and was also among the try scorers.

Bridge, 21, has been a consistent try scorer since coming into first grade three seasons ago – in fact he notched four on debut. He’s a safe bet to be the leading try scorer in the group this year.

He’s enjoyed a great season, representing Group Three and East Coast, with the only hiccup being a two week holiday courtesy of the judiciary after he was sent off in the game against Wauchope last month, forcing him to miss important games against Port City and Port Macquarie.

The Tigers are one of the front runners for higher honours this year. Bridge says there’s been a change of attitude this season and side’s playing more consistently.

“And we’re all a bit older and more experienced. Having Kurt as captain-coach has given us more direction,’’ he added.

Bridge has played all his football with the Tigers from his junior days. However, he admits having a run somewhere else would be tempting if he received an offer.

“It would depend where it’s from, but it is something I’d think about,’’ he said.

Out of the league season Bridge plays touch and cricket.