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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, 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 significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came 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 the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line 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 closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).