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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack 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 attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.