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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win 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 over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing 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 Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions 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.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.