WARRINGTON Wolves’ trip to Castleford Tigers had ‘banana skin’ written all over it but there was plenty to feel cheery about by the time the final hooter sounded.

On paper, Cas went into the contest with nothing to play for due to being out of play-offs contention but showed in fairly recent surprise wins against Catalans Dragons and St Helens how dangerous they can be on their good days.

With The Wire having lost the services of their season’s star man Matt Dufty through knee surgery during the week and with head coach Sam Burgess having missed the preparations due to his flying visit to Australia for his NRL Hall of Fame induction, there was just a little question mark about how the team would respond.

A drop in The Wire’ completion rate of late, Luke Yates going to the sin-bin for a high tackle and the score remaining 0-0 for 23 dour minutes added some niggling doubt that it could be a long night.

Luke Yates loses possession in Jacob Miller's challenge early in the gameLuke Yates loses possession in Jacob Miller's challenge early in the game (Image: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

Spark was needed and when it arrived it did so in the most wonderful circumstances.

Eighteen-year-old Cai Taylor-Wray, stepping up at full-back in place of Dufty, produced a star-glittered moment of opportunistic brilliance to breathe life into the contest and assure fans that he is more than capable of making up for the Australian’s absence in the coming weeks at a crucial time in the season.

The England Academy international and former East Leeds junior, who looked a threat with the ball all night and showed incredible strength when producing a stunning last-ditch try-saving tackle on Jenson Windley a little earlier, scored a sure try-of-the-season contender that left Wire fans licking their lips for more.

Taylor-Wray stormed onto the ball at first receiver targeting some space behind the ruck and after leaving Sylvestor Name and Paul McShane in his wake he beat five more Cas players on an explosive, dancing-and-weaving dash to the line where he scored with an outstretched arm and two defenders clinging on.

He could not have dreamed about scoring a better first try at senior level.

Cai Taylor-Wray touches down his wonder try against Castleford Tigers. Referee Tom Grant was unsure of the grounding and asked video referee Liam Rush to intervene and after a long four-minute wait the score was approvedCai Taylor-Wray touches down his wonder try against Castleford Tigers. Referee Tom Grant was unsure of the grounding and asked video referee Liam Rush to intervene and after a long four-minute wait the score was approved (Image: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

The Wire players run in to congratulate Cai Taylor-Wray on his sensational try against Castleford TigersThe Wire players run in to congratulate Cai Taylor-Wray on his sensational try against Castleford Tigers (Image: Richard Sellers/PA)

It did settle some nerves and when John Bateman scooted through a large hole from a Josh Drinkwater pass to touch down his first try for The Wire four minutes into the second half some breathing space was achieved.

John Bateman goes over for his first Wire tryJohn Bateman goes over for his first Wire try (Image: Richard Sellers/PA)

John Bateman is clap happy after touching down for The Wire against CastlefordJohn Bateman is clap happy after touching down for The Wire against Castleford (Image: SWpix.com)

Although Cas stayed enthusiastic and responded with a Luke Hooley try from a sweeping passing display, Wolves soaked up a bit of pressure before settling the outcome with scores from Matty Nicholson, Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis.

It was a result that sealed Warrington’s place in the play-offs with four rounds still to play.

And it was no wonder The Wire fans were chanting their new hero Taylor-Wray’s name as they left the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in high spirits.

Thumbs up from man-of-the-match Cai Taylor-WrayThumbs up from man-of-the-match Cai Taylor-Wray (Image: SWpix.com)