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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed 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 exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.