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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.