Walmsley scores twice as Wakefield Trinity defeat Huddersfield Giants 18-16
Lachlan Walmsley, who transferred to Wakefield Trinity from Halifax Panthers in November 2023, played a pivotal role in Wakefield’s Super League victory over Huddersfield Giants, scoring two tries in an 18-16 away win.
Wakefield’s tries came from Cam Scott, Lachlan Walmsley (2), and Seth Nikotemo, with Max Jowitt contributing a goal. Huddersfield’s tries were scored by George Flanagan (2) and Sam Halsall, with Flanagan also kicking two goals.
Following their opening-day home defeat to Toulouse, Wakefield Trinity secured their first win of the season in a closely contested match at the Giants’ Accu Stadium. The game was marked by a thrilling second half where Wakefield managed to hold on despite Huddersfield’s late surge.
The decisive moment occurred when Walmsley intercepted a pass and scored his second try, creating a gap that Huddersfield could not overcome despite two late tries from George Flanagan. This loss left Huddersfield still without a win after two rounds.
Wakefield opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a try from centre Cam Scott, reflecting their expansive style of play under coach Daryl Powell, who encouraged offloading at every opportunity. Huddersfield responded in the 24th minute with a well-executed try by winger Sam Halsall to level the score.
Eight minutes before halftime, Walmsley scored a well-crafted try that put Wakefield ahead at the break. The second half began with Huddersfield pressing hard, with Tom Burgess held up over the line, while Wakefield’s Matty Storton was also held up after a tip-on from Jazz Tevaga.
In the 55th minute, Walmsley made a significant impact by intercepting a pass and catching the ball off his foot before it touched the ground, racing in unopposed for a try that was confirmed after video referee review. Shortly after the hour mark, Jake Trueman assisted Seth Nikotemo for Wakefield’s fourth try, seemingly securing the victory.
However, Huddersfield fought back with two quick tries from George Flanagan, narrowing the gap to two points. Despite having eight minutes remaining to overturn the deficit, Huddersfield were unable to break through Wakefield’s defence, led by Max Jowitt, who was outstanding throughout the match.
Post-match reactions
Huddersfield Giants head coach Luke Robinson told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It was a weird one because I don't think Lachlan thought he'd scored it, but the video ref must have seen conclusively that it was a try.
We started a little bit slowly but the longer the game went on I thought we really grew into it. It was admirable the way the boys fought.
I felt like we were all over them in the second half, and it felt like at some point we were going to score again.
We probably just weren't clinical in certain areas. We sort of forced it, so it was a bit naive on our part, but I was really proud of the effort.
It was heartbreaking really. I'm down in the dumps we haven't won - and the manner of the loss as well - but at the same time it's only round two and we are still missing a lot of key players.
If we show the 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 at first, 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 really good 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 handy to have some today.
I thought we looked nervous last week, probably around expectations, around what we are and what we did last year, and I thought we were nervous today again - especially around that tight period 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 fantastic."
Team line-ups
Huddersfield Giants: Flanagan; Carr, Gagai, Milne, Halsall; Lolohea, Russell; Patolo, Woolford, Rogers, O'Donnell, Hewitt, Powell.
Interchanges: Burgess, King, Rush, Cozza.
Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt; Pratt, Scott, Hall, Walmsley; Trueman, Sinfield; McMeeken, Smoothy, Hamlin-Uele, Nikotemo, Vagana, Pitts.
Interchanges: Rodwell, Storton, Tevaga, Smith.
