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 shots from Lachlan Walmsley provided an out of breath 18-16 success at Huddersfield Giants.


After their opening-day defeat in your home to Toulouse, Trinity came great on the road, hanging on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.


The key minute was Walmsley's interception for his second shot, which opened a space Huddersfield were simply unable to claw back regardless of 2 late shots from George Flanagan.


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


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


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


However, a wonderfully constructed shot 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 firing 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 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 hit the ground to race in unopposed. The video referee took a long look at the handling however ruled the try was excellent.


When Jake Trueman put Kiwi Nikotemo in for Wakefield's fourth shot 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, two 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 relax a bit now' - response


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


"We began a bit slowly however the longer the game went on I thought we really became it. It was admirable the way the young boys battled.


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


"We probably simply weren't scientific in specific areas. We sort of required it, so it was a bit naive on our part, however I was really pleased with the effort.


"It was heartbreaking truly. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss also - but at the same time it's only round two and we are still missing a great deal of crucial gamers.


"If we show the same character next week I think we'll go alright."


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"I thought Lachlan had dropped it initially, I couldn't see, however he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a wise bit of impulse play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's truly proficient at.


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


"I thought we looked worried recently, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, 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 very first win of the season and can most likely unwind a bit now.


"I thought we did enough without being great."


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.