Reece Walsh Shines as Dominant Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Match
The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors 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 motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.
They will have to be much better with the ball 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 points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.
Key Moments of the Game
The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.
Match Result and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Bench players.
- Try: Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).