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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).