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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, 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 Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.