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 2 shots from Lachlan Walmsley offered them a breathless 18-16 success at Huddersfield Giants.


After their opening-day defeat at home to Toulouse, Trinity came great on the road, holding on in a thrilling second half for a hard-earned win.


The essential moment was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd try, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were simply unable to claw back in spite of two late tries 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 shot for Wakefield as their extensive intent got its rewards with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every chance.


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


However, a beautifully constructed shot from Walmsley eight minutes before the break offered 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 likewise held up over the line after a nice tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.


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


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


However, 2 attempts in quick succession from Flanagan pulled them right back into the contest.


The Giants, two 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 close out the win.


'We can probably unwind a bit now' - reaction


"It was a weird one because I do not believe Lachlan thought he 'd scored it, but the video ref need to have seen conclusively that it was a shot.


"We began a bit gradually however the longer the video game went on I thought we truly turned into it. It was exceptional the way the kids fought.


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


"We most likely just weren't clinical in particular areas. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit naive on our part, however I was truly happy with the effort.


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


"If we reveal 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 actually dropped it initially, I could not see, however he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart little bit of instinct play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's truly great at.


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


"I thought we looked worried last week, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did in 2015, and I believed we fidgeted today once again - particularly around that tight period towards completion.


"We have actually got the monkey off our back with our very first win of the season and can most likely relax a bit now.


"I thought we did enough without being fantastic."


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.