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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing 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 England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach 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.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).