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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side 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 first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain 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 first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for 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 stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack 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, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.