Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match
England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.
The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.
England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.
Key Moments of the Game
The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 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 Outlook
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Bench players.
- Tries: Clark.
- Goal: Lewis.
- Australia: Starting lineup.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.