🔗 Share this article

England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

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

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton shortly 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 momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up 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 final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

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 answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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