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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain 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 hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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