Sunday 31 July 2016 13:35, UK
A season that began in heartbreaking fashion is set to culminate in a fairytale appearance at Wembley for young Warrington star Toby King.
The exciting centre was forced to sit out the first three months of the campaign with a torn pectoral muscle but helped make up for lost time by scoring two tries on his Challenge Cup debut on Saturday to help the Wolves to a 56-12 semi-final win over Wakefield at Leigh Sports Village.
"I was over the moon," said the Huddersfield-born King, who turned 20 on July 9. "You dream about stuff like that when you are a 10-year-old playing on the rec.
"To do something like that in a Challenge Cup semi-final is pretty special."
Warrington's 10-try rout set up a mouth-watering cup final showdown with Hull at Wembley on August 27, which was the furthest thing in King's thoughts when he suffered his injury on the eve of the season.
He's got the makings of a real good pro, especially for such a young man. I'm really delighted for Toby. He has a really bright future.
"I was absolutely gutted," he said. "But all the conditioning staff have been class and they got me back to full health.
"It was a pretty upsetting time but moments like that make up for it."
Warrington coach Tony Smith, who gave King his Super League debut two years ago, was thrilled with his display against the Wildcats and is predicting a big future for him.
"Toby showed some really good signs," said Smith. "He looks at home in first grade. He was looking good in pre-season but injury kept him out for so long and it's not been straight forward. He's had to fight his way back.
"He's got the makings of a real good pro, especially for such a young man. I'm really delighted for Toby. He has a really bright future."
King made his Super League bow against London Broncos four days after his 18th birthday and just a fortnight after older brother George broke through into the first-team.
His appearance against the Wildcats on Saturday was only his 13th senior outing but he is now keeping his fingers crossed that he can keep his spot for the trip to Wembley.
"That's a tough one," he said. "There are some really good players itching to get back in. It's up to Tony. All I can do is do the best I can on the field and see what comes of it."
King and his team-mates must put the prospect of running out at Wembley to the back of their minds as they revert to league action and an assault on the top spot currently occupied by Hull.
"We've got to," he said. "We've got St Helens on Thursday and that's just as big as Saturday. We're both pushing for league leaders."
