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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach'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 key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption 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 momentum.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.