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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team 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 pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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 pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address 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.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.