Reece Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Sweep The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match

England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win 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 ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

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

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

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

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