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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour 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 Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved 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 failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

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

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score 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 winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).