Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’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 Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be much better 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 points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.
- 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.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).
