🔗 Share this article Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat England Away in First Ashes Match England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series. The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000. Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since 1970. They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions. Crucial Plays of the Game The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move. Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum. Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score. That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second. Match Result and Outlook By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday. England: 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: Starting lineup. Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi. Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two). Goals: Cleary 5.