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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive 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 reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted 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 soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match 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: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).