🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).