Walmsley Scores Double 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 your home to Toulouse, Trinity came good on the road, holding on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.
The essential moment was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd try, which opened a gap Huddersfield were just unable to claw back in spite of 2 late shots from George Flanagan.
The defeat at the Accu Stadium left the Giants still winless after 2 video 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 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 gave 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 likewise held up over the line after a great tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.
But a huge play from Walmsley in the 55th minute enabled the visitors to extend their lead. The Scotland winger intercepted a pass and captured 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 try was great.
When Jake Trueman put Kiwi Nikotemo in for Wakefield's 4th try just 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, 2 points down, had eight minutes to pull the 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 unwind a bit now' - response
"It was an odd one since I do not believe Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, but the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a try.
"We began a little bit slowly but the longer the game went on I thought we really turned into it. It was admirable the method the boys fought.
"I felt like we were all over them in the 2nd half, and it seemed like at some time we were going to score once again.
"We most likely just weren't medical in certain locations. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, however I was really happy with the effort.
"It was heartbreaking truly. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss as well - however at the very same time it's just round two and we are still missing a lot of essential players.
"If we reveal the same character next week I believe we'll go alright."
Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:
"I believed Lachlan had actually dropped it in the beginning, I couldn't see, however he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart little instinct play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's really good at.
"There was a bit of luck - you need that sometimes. I don't think we had a lot recently, so it came in handy to have some today.
"I believed 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 - especially 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.