Walmsley Scores Double 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 at home to Toulouse, Trinity came excellent on the roadway, holding on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.


The crucial minute was Walmsley's interception for his second shot, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were simply not able 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 try for Wakefield as their expansive intent got its benefits with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every opportunity.


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


However, a wonderfully built shot from Walmsley eight minutes before the break gave 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 big play from Walmsley in the 55th minute allowed the visitors to extend their lead. The Scotland winger 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 but ruled the shot was good.


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


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


The Giants, two points down, had eight minutes to pull the video 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' - response


"It was a weird one since I don't think Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, but the video ref need to have seen conclusively that it was a shot.


"We started a bit gradually but the longer the game went on I thought we actually grew into it. It was admirable the method the boys fought.


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


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


"It was heartbreaking actually. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss too - however at the very same time it's only round 2 and we are still missing out on a great deal of crucial players.


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


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:


"I believed Lachlan had actually dropped it in the beginning, I couldn't see, but he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a clever bit of impulse play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's actually good at.


"There was a bit of luck - you require that at times. I do not think we had a lot recently, so it was helpful to have some today.


"I believed we looked worried recently, 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 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 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.