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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday 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 accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).