Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Away in Opening Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes 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 composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Walsh
Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.
They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Match
The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.
Match Result and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Clark.
- Goal: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Reserves.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).
