Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test
The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes 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 displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.
Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.
They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. 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 Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Key Moments of the Match
The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out 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 Test next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
