🔗 Share this article

England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. 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 closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.