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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, 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 pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

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

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win 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: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.