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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors 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 first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

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

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).