🔗 Share this article Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Test The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series. Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, 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 composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000. Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s. They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. 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 Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions. Key Moments of the Game The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move. Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum. 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 broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score. That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second. Match Result and Outlook By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend. Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles. Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken. Try: Clark. Conversion: Lewis. Australia: Starting lineup. Interchange: Reserves. Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two). Kicks: Cleary 5.