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 an out of breath 18-16 success at Huddersfield Giants.


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


The crucial minute was Walmsley's interception for his second try, which opened up a gap Huddersfield were simply not able to claw back regardless of two late tries from George Flanagan.


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


Centre opened the scoring with a 13th-minute shot for Wakefield as their extensive intent got its benefits with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every opportunity.


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


However, a beautifully built try 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 substantial play from Walmsley in the 55th minute enabled the visitors to extend their lead. The Scotland winger obstructed a pass and caught 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 good.


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


However, 2 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 exceptional in defence, kept them at bay to close out 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 should have seen conclusively that it was a try.


"We started a bit slowly however the longer the game went on I believed we truly became it. It was exceptional the way the boys combated.


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


"We probably simply weren't clinical in particular locations. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, however I was actually happy with the effort.


"It was heartbreaking actually. I'm down in the dumps we have not won - and the way of the loss as well - but at the very same time it's just round two and we are still missing out on a great deal of key gamers.


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


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"I thought Lachlan had dropped it initially, I couldn't see, however he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a wise little bit of instinct play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's actually good at.


"There was a bit of luck - you require that sometimes. I don't believe we had a lot recently, so it was helpful to have some today.


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


"We have actually got the monkey off our back with our first win of the season and can probably 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.