Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Sweep The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Match
The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh
Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.
They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Key Moments of the Match
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. 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.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.
