Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat England Away in First Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.
The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Display from Walsh
Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
