Reece Walsh Shines as Dominant The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Aside in Opening Ashes Test
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.
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. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.
They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
