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

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ 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 weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions 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 Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach 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.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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