🔗 Share this article

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour 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 victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.