🔗 Share this article

England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. 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.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display 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 win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better 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 superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for 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.

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 Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).