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England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, 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 United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star 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 sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus 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 Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.