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


got their Super League season up and running as 2 tries from Lachlan Walmsley provided them a breathless 18-16 triumph at Huddersfield Giants.


After their opening-day defeat in your home to Toulouse, Trinity came good on the road, hanging 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 unable to claw back regardless of two late tries 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 shot for Wakefield as their extensive intent got its rewards 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 constructed shot from Walmsley 8 minutes before the break offered Wakefield a half-time lead.


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


Wakefield went close too with Matty Storton also held up over the line after a great 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 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 appearance at the handling however ruled the try was good.


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


However, 2 tries in quick succession from Flanagan pulled them right back into the contest.


The Giants, 2 points down, had 8 minutes to pull the video game out of the fire but Wakefield, with Max Jowitt impressive in defence, kept them at bay to liquidate the win.


'We can most likely unwind a bit now' - response


"It was an unusual one since I don't believe Lachlan thought he 'd scored it, but the video ref should have seen conclusively that it was a try.


"We started a bit slowly but the longer the video game went on I believed we truly turned into it. It was exceptional the method the kids combated.


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


"We probably just weren't scientific in particular areas. We sort of required it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was really proud of the effort.


"It was heartbreaking actually. 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 out on a great deal of crucial players.


"If we reveal the very same character next week I believe we'll go alright."


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"I thought Lachlan had dropped it initially, I could not see, but 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 truly proficient at.


"There was a little bit of luck - you need that at times. I don't think we had a lot last week, so it was helpful to have some today.


"I thought we looked nervous recently, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did in 2015, and I thought we were anxious today again - particularly around that tight duration towards the end.


"We've 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 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.