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 success at Huddersfield Giants.
After their opening-day defeat in your home to Toulouse, Trinity came good on the roadway, hanging on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.
The crucial moment was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd shot, which opened up a space Huddersfield were simply not able to claw back in spite of two late tries from George Flanagan.
The defeat at the Accu Stadium left the Giants still winless after two video games.
Centre Cam Scott opened the scoring with a 13th-minute try for Wakefield as their extensive intent got its rewards with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every chance.
But an excellent finish in the corner from Huddersfield winger Sam Halsall in the 24th minute brought the home side level.
However, a perfectly built shot from Walmsley eight minutes before the break offered Wakefield a half-time lead.
Tom Burgess was held up over the line as came out firing at the start of the 2nd half.
Wakefield went close too with Matty Storton also held up over the line after a nice 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 obstructed a pass and captured the ball off his foot before it struck the ground to race in unopposed. The video referee took a long look at the handling however ruled the try was excellent.
When Jake Trueman put Kiwi back-row Seth Nikotemo in for Wakefield's 4th try just after the hour it looked like they remained in the clear.
However, 2 attempts in fast succession from Flanagan pulled them right back into the contest.
The Giants, two points down, had 8 minutes to pull the video game out of the fire however Wakefield, with Max Jowitt outstanding in defence, kept them at bay to close out the win.
'We can most likely unwind a bit now' - response
"It was an unusual one due to the fact that I do not think Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, however the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a shot.
"We began a bit slowly but the longer the game went on I thought we actually became it. It was exceptional the method the kids battled.
"I felt like we were all over them in the 2nd half, and it felt like at some point we were going to score again.
"We most likely simply weren't medical in particular areas. We sort of required it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was actually happy with the effort.
"It was heartbreaking really. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss also - but at the exact same time it's just round two and we are still missing out on a great deal of essential players.
"If we reveal the same character next week I think we'll go alright."
Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:
"I thought Lachlan had dropped it initially, I could not see, but he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a wise little bit of instinct play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's really proficient at.
"There was a little bit of luck - you need that sometimes. I do not believe we had a lot recently, so it was helpful to have some today.
"I believed we looked worried last week, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I believed we were worried today again - specifically around that tight duration towards completion.
"We've got the monkey off our back with our first win of the season and can probably 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.