🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of 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 UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

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

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, 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 superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.