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

Shaun Wane’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 endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations 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 multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-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 added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.