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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, 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 missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer 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.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).