Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test
The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. 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 United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.
Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.
England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. 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 large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.
Key Moments of the Match
The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.
Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Goals: Cleary 5.
