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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, 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.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession 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 large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.