Reece Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test

The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance 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 deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defensive line 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 consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer 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.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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