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 an out of breath 18-16 success at Huddersfield Giants.
After their opening-day defeat in the house to Toulouse, Trinity came excellent on the roadway, holding on in a thrilling second half for a hard-earned win.
The essential moment was Walmsley's interception for his 2nd try, which opened up a space Huddersfield were simply not able to claw back regardless of 2 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 shot for Wakefield as their expansive intent got its benefits with Daryl Powell's side offloading at every chance.
But a terrific surface in the corner from Huddersfield winger Sam Halsall in the 24th minute brought the home side level.
However, a magnificently built shot 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 likewise held up over the line after a good tip-on by Jazz Tevaga.
But a huge 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 good.
When Jake Trueman put Kiwi back-row Seth Nikotemo in for Wakefield's 4th try just after the hour it looked like they were in the clear.
However, 2 tries in fast 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 however Wakefield, with Max Jowitt exceptional in defence, kept them at bay to liquidate the win.
'We can probably relax a bit now' - response
"It was a weird one since I don't believe Lachlan believed he 'd scored it, but the video ref should have seen conclusively that it was a try.
"We began a little bit slowly however the longer the game went on I believed we really turned into it. It was exceptional the way the kids battled.
"I felt like we were all over them in the 2nd half, and it felt like at some time we were going to score once again.
"We most likely just weren't scientific in certain areas. We sort of required it, so it was a bit ignorant on our part, however 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 same time it's just round 2 and we are still missing a great deal of key gamers.
"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 believed Lachlan had actually dropped it initially, I could not see, but he clearly gets his foot on the ball, so it's a smart little impulse play from him. Those sorts of impulse things are what he's truly good at.
"There was a bit of luck - you require that sometimes. I do not 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 were nervous today once again - particularly around that tight period towards completion.
"We have actually got the monkey off our back with our very first win of the season and can probably unwind a bit now.
"I believed 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.