Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test
England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.
The England coach's team 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 the famous stadium. Yet, 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 Display from Walsh
Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win 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 home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.
Key Moments of the Match
The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.
Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.
Final Score and Outlook
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach 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: Bench players.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).
