Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant Australia Defeat England Away in First Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win 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 opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Performance from Walsh
Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.
England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Match
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.
Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.
Final Score and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Starting lineup.
- Bench: Reserves.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Goals: Cleary 5.
