Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match
The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.
The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, 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 series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park 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 achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations 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 first 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 Walsh himself finished a excellent move.
Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.
- Home Side: Full team lineup.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).
