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 2 shots from Lachlan Walmsley offered them a breathless 18-16 victory at Huddersfield Giants.


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


The essential moment was Walmsley's interception for his second shot, which opened 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 shot for Wakefield as their expansive intent got its rewards with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every opportunity.


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


However, a wonderfully built try from Walmsley 8 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 2nd 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 permitted the 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 but ruled the shot was good.


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


However, two attempts in quick 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 outstanding in defence, kept them at bay to close out the win.


'We can probably relax a bit now' - reaction


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


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


"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 just weren't medical in specific locations. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, however I was actually happy of the effort.


"It was heartbreaking truly. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss too - however at the exact same time it's only round 2 and we are still missing out on a lot of essential gamers.


"If we reveal the exact 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 at first, I could not see, but he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart bit of impulse play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's truly excellent at.


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


"I believed we looked anxious last week, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I believed we were nervous today once again - particularly around that tight duration towards the end.


"We have actually 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.