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 2 tries from Lachlan Walmsley provided a breathless 18-16 triumph 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 essential minute was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd shot, which opened a gap Huddersfield were just unable to claw back despite two late shots 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 at every chance.


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


However, a perfectly built try from Walmsley eight minutes before the break provided Wakefield a half-time lead.


Tom Burgess was held up over the line as Huddersfield came out firing at the start of the 2nd half.


Wakefield went close too with Matty Storton likewise held up over the line after a nice tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.


But a big play from Walmsley in the 55th minute permitted 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 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 quick 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 but Wakefield, with Max Jowitt exceptional in defence, kept them at bay to liquidate 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 shot.


"We started a bit gradually but the longer the game went on I believed we really grew into it. It was exceptional the method the young boys fought.


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


"We probably just weren't scientific in particular locations. We arrange of forced it, so it was a bit naive on our part, however I was really pleased with the effort.


"It was heartbreaking really. I'm down in the dumps we have not won - and the manner of the loss also - but at the same time it's only round 2 and we are still missing a great deal of crucial players.


"If we reveal the exact 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 could not see, however he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart bit of impulse play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's actually proficient at.


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


"I thought we looked nervous recently, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I believed we fidgeted today again - particularly around that tight period 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.