🔗 Share this article Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Sweep The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series. The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series 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 displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000. Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970. England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers. Key Moments of the Game The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play. Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum. Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score. That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second. Final Score and Outlook By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday. England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles. Substitutes: Bench players. Tries: Clark. Conversion: Mikey Lewis. Visitors: Starting lineup. Bench: Reserves. Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2. Goals: Cleary 5.