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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, 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 Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came 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 approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, 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 cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron 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 added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address 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: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).