Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation 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 reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Performance from Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.
Key Moments of the Game
The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.
Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice 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 half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Cleary 5.
