Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Sweep The Hosts Away in First Ashes Match

The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better 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 tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England 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. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.