Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.
The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.
Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
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 hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Match
The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle 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 supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
