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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win 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 first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as 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 Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).