Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Sweep The Hosts Aside in Opening Ashes Match
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, 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 more than 60,000.
Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported 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 Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.
- England: Full team lineup.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Bench: Reserves.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
