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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders 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 Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, 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 score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past 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 move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

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