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 two tries from Lachlan Walmsley provided them a breathless 18-16 victory at Huddersfield Giants.


After their opening-day defeat in your home to Toulouse, Trinity came great on the roadway, holding on in a thrilling second half for a hard-earned win.


The crucial minute was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd try, which opened a space Huddersfield were simply not able to claw back regardless of 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 shot for Wakefield as their expansive intent got its rewards with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every chance.


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


However, a beautifully constructed 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 shooting at the start of the second 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 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 try was great.


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


However, 2 attempts in quick 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 outstanding in defence, kept them at bay to liquidate the win.


'We can probably relax a bit now' - response


"It was an odd one due to the fact that I do not believe Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, however the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a try.


"We started a little bit gradually however the longer the game went on I believed we actually grew into it. It was admirable the way the young boys fought.


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


"We probably just weren't medical in specific locations. We arrange of forced it, so it was a bit naive on our part, but I was truly happy with the effort.


"It was heartbreaking really. I'm down in the dumps we have not won - and the manner of the loss too - however at the exact same time it's just round two and we are still missing a great deal of essential gamers.


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


Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:


"I believed Lachlan had dropped it initially, I couldn't see, but he plainly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a clever little bit of impulse play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's truly proficient at.


"There was a bit of luck - you require that at times. I do not think we had a lot recently, so it was convenient 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 fidgeted today again - especially around that tight period towards the end.


"We've 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.