Walmsley Scores Function As Wakefield Edge Out Giants

22 February 2026


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Huddersfield (4) 16


Tries: Halsall, Flanagan 2 Goals: Flanagan 2


Tries: Scott, Walmsley 2, Nikotemo Goal: Jowitt


Wakefield Trinity got their Super League season up and running as two tries from Lachlan Walmsley provided a breathless 18-16 triumph at Huddersfield Giants.


After their opening-day defeat in the house to Toulouse, Trinity came good on the road, holding on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.


The essential minute was Walmsley's interception for his second try, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were just not able to claw back in spite of 2 late shots from George Flanagan.


The defeat at the Accu Stadium left the Giants still winless after 2 games.


Centre Cam Scott opened the scoring with a 13th-minute try for Wakefield as their expansive intent got its rewards with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every opportunity.


But an excellent finish in the corner from Huddersfield winger Sam Halsall in the 24th minute brought the home side level.


However, a perfectly constructed shot from Walmsley eight minutes before the break provided Wakefield a half-time lead.


Tom Burgess was held up over the line as Huddersfield came out shooting at the start of the second half.


Wakefield went close too with Matty Storton likewise held up over the line after a good tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.


But a huge play from Walmsley in the 55th minute the visitors to extend their lead. The Scotland winger obstructed a pass and captured the ball off his foot before it hit the ground to race in unopposed. The video referee took a long take a look at the handling however ruled the shot was great.


When Jake Trueman put Kiwi back-row Seth Nikotemo in for Wakefield's fourth try simply after the hour it looked like they remained in the clear.


However, two attempts in fast succession from Flanagan pulled them right back into the contest.


The Giants, 2 points down, had 8 minutes to pull the video game out of the fire however Wakefield, with Max Jowitt outstanding in defence, kept them at bay to liquidate the win.


'We can most likely unwind a bit now' - response


"It was an odd one due to the fact that I don't think Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, however the video ref should have seen conclusively that it was a shot.


"We began a little bit slowly however the longer the game went on I believed we actually turned into it. It was admirable the method the kids combated.


"I felt like we were all over them in the 2nd half, and it seemed like at some time we were going to score once again.


"We probably simply weren't scientific in specific locations. We arrange of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was truly proud of the effort.


"It was heartbreaking truly. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the way of the loss too - but at the exact same time it's just round 2 and we are still missing out on a lot of crucial gamers.


"If we reveal the very same character next week I believe we'll go alright."


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:


"I believed Lachlan had actually dropped it at first, I couldn't see, but he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a wise bit of instinct play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's truly excellent at.


"There was a bit of luck - you require that sometimes. I do not think we had a lot last week, so it was helpful to have some today.


"I thought we looked anxious last week, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did in 2015, and I thought we were nervous today once again - particularly around that tight duration towards completion.


"We've got the monkey off our back with our first win of the season and can probably relax a bit now.


"I thought we did enough without being wonderful."


Huddersfield: Flanagan; Carr, Gagai, Milne, Halsall; Lolohea, Russell; Patolo, Woolford, Rogers, O'Donnell, Hewitt, Powell.


Interchanges: Burgess, King, Rush, Cozza.


Wakefield: Jowitt; Pratt, Scott, Hall, Walmsley; Trueman, Sinfield; McMeeken, Smoothy, Hamlin-Uele, Nikotemo, Vagana, Pitts.


Interchanges: Rodwell, Storton, Tevaga, Smith.