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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, 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.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-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 further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: 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).
• Goals: Cleary 5.