Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Match
The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.
Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb 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 Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.
