🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.