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 a breathless 18-16 victory at Huddersfield Giants.


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


The crucial moment was Walmsley's interception for his second shot, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were just unable to claw back despite 2 late shots from George Flanagan.


The defeat at the Accu Stadium left the Giants still winless after two video 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 a terrific finish in the corner from Huddersfield winger Sam Halsall in the 24th minute the home side level.


However, a wonderfully constructed shot from Walmsley 8 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 also held up over the line after a good tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.


But a big play from Walmsley in the 55th minute permitted 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 look at the handling but ruled the try was excellent.


When Jake Trueman put Kiwi back-row Seth Nikotemo in for Wakefield's 4th shot just after the hour it looked like they remained in the clear.


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


The Giants, 2 points down, had 8 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 most likely unwind a bit now' - response


"It was an unusual one since I do not think Lachlan thought he 'd scored it, however the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a shot.


"We started a bit slowly but the longer the video game went on I thought we actually grew into it. It was exceptional the method the kids 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 most likely just weren't clinical in certain locations. We sort of required it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was actually 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 same time it's just round two and we are still missing a lot of crucial gamers.


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


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:


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


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


"I believed we looked worried last week, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I believed we were nervous today again - specifically around that tight period towards the end.


"We've 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 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.