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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances 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 pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.