🔗 Share this article Reece Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Match England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors 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 drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators. Outstanding Display from Walsh Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s. England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts 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 executed two superb interceptions. Key Moments of the Game The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play. Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum. Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score. That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second. Final Score and Outlook By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday. England: Full team lineup. Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken. Try: Clark. Goal: Mikey Lewis. Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo. Bench: Reserves. Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2. Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).