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 shots from Lachlan Walmsley gave them a breathless 18-16 triumph at Huddersfield Giants.
After their opening-day defeat in your home to Toulouse, Trinity came excellent on the road, holding on in a thrilling 2nd half for a hard-earned win.
The crucial moment was Walmsley's interception for his second try, which opened up a space Huddersfield were just 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 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 8 minutes before the break offered 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 great tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.
But a big 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 struck the ground to race in unopposed. The video referee took a long look at the handling however ruled the shot was great.
When Jake Trueman put Kiwi back-row Seth Nikotemo in for Wakefield's fourth try 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, 2 points down, had eight minutes to pull the game out of the fire however Wakefield, with Max Jowitt impressive in defence, kept them at bay to close out the win.
'We can probably unwind a bit now' - reaction
"It was an unusual one because I do not believe Lachlan thought he 'd scored it, however the video ref should have seen conclusively that it was a shot.
"We began a bit slowly however the longer the video game went on I believed we truly grew into it. It was exceptional the way the young boys battled.
"I seemed like we were all over them in the 2nd half, and it seemed like at some time we were going to score once again.
"We probably simply weren't scientific in particular locations. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, but I was truly pleased with the effort.
"It was heartbreaking really. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the way of the loss too - however at the same time it's only round 2 and we are still missing a great deal of essential players.
"If we show the exact 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 couldn't see, but he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart bit of instinct play from him. Those sorts of instinct things are what he's actually excellent at.
"There was a little bit of luck - you require that sometimes. I don't think we had a lot last week, so it came in handy to have some today.
"I believed we looked worried last week, most likely around expectations, around what we are and what we did in 2015, and I thought we fidgeted today once again - specifically around that tight duration towards completion.
"We have actually got the monkey off our back with our very first win of the season and can most likely unwind 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.