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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of 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 series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.