Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.
Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to address 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.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).