🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.