Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant Australia Defeat England Away in First Ashes Match
The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.
Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.
England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. 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 line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.
- England: Full team lineup.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: 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: Cleary 5.
