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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team 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 Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England 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 line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired 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 missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test 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.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.