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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: 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: Cleary 5.