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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, 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 Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.