Walmsley Scores Function As Wakefield Edge Out Giants

22 February 2026


73 Comments


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 roadway, holding on in a thrilling second half for a hard-earned win.


The essential minute was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd try, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were just unable to claw back regardless of two late shots from George Flanagan.


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


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


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


However, a beautifully constructed try from Walmsley 8 minutes before the break offered Wakefield a half-time lead.


Tom Burgess was held up over the line as Huddersfield came out shooting at the start of the 2nd half.


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


But a substantial play from Walmsley in the 55th minute permitted the visitors to extend their lead. The Scotland winger obstructed a pass and caught the ball off his foot before it struck the ground to race in unopposed. The video referee took a long look at the handling but ruled the shot was excellent.


When Jake Trueman put Kiwi Nikotemo in for Wakefield's fourth try simply after the hour it looked like they were in the clear.


However, 2 tries in fast succession from Flanagan pulled them right back into the contest.


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


'We can probably unwind a bit now' - reaction


"It was an unusual one due to the fact that I do not believe Lachlan thought he 'd scored it, but the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a shot.


"We began a little bit slowly but the longer the video game went on I believed we actually turned into it. It was exceptional the way the young boys combated.


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


"We most likely simply weren't medical in certain locations. We arrange of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, however I was actually happy of the effort.


"It was heartbreaking actually. I'm down in the dumps we have not won - and the way of the loss too - but at the exact same time it's just round 2 and we are still missing a lot of key gamers.


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


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"I believed Lachlan had actually dropped it in the beginning, I could not see, but he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a clever little impulse play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's truly proficient at.


"There was a little bit of luck - you require that at times. I do not believe we had a lot last week, so it came in handy to have some today.


"I thought we looked anxious last week, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I believed we were worried today again - particularly around that tight duration towards the end.


"We have actually got the monkey off our back with our first win of the season and can most likely unwind 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.