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 your home to Toulouse, Trinity came excellent on the roadway, 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 space Huddersfield were just unable to claw back regardless of 2 late tries from George Flanagan.


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


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


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


However, a beautifully built 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 firing at the start of the second half.


Wakefield went close too with Matty Storton also held up over the line after a great 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 caught 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 try was good.


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


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


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


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


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


"We started a little bit gradually but the longer the game went on I thought we truly became it. It was exceptional the method the kids fought.


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


"We probably just weren't clinical in specific locations. We arrange of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was really happy of the effort.


"It was heartbreaking actually. 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 only round 2 and we are still missing a lot of key players.


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


"There was a bit of luck - you need that at times. I don't believe we had a lot recently, so it came in handy to have some today.


"I believed we looked anxious last week, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did in 2015, and I believed we fidgeted today again - especially around that tight duration towards completion.


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


"I believed 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.