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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. 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 turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil 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 victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).