England v Australia Match Report | Second Test at Everton | ABK Beer Ashes Series

The Second ABK Beer Ashes Test got underway at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, in front of a capacity crowd of over 50,000.

England had to win to keep the Ashes series alive and threw everything they had at Australia for large parts of the game – but would come up agonisingly short in the second stanza.

The test match got off to a fiery and ferocious start – everything you would expect between the two world rivals, and tempers instantly flared which saw early sin binnings for England’s Dom Young and the Kangaroos’ Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.

It was a closely contested first forty, and one which saw two successful penalty goals apiece.

Proud Evertonian Harry Smith converted two goals for the hosts, while Nathan Cleary added the extras for Australia.

It was a vastly improved performance from Shaun Wane’s side after their disappointing display at Wembley last weekend; one of grit, spirit and determination in the city of Liverpool.

England dominated possession and had endless chances to score in the opening half, but were, ultimately, unable to capitalise when it mattered.

They did, however, manage to force errors from their opponents, whilst matching them in the physicality battle.

And there were promising signs when the scores were locked in at 4-all at half-time, with England spurred on by a vocal fanbase.

England stood firm with outstanding defence in the second test match, until Australia eventually broke them down on the 48th minute, when Cameron Munster burst through and crashed over.

And it was to be back-to-back tries for Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos as Hudson Young reacted the quickest and pounced on a loose England ball to score, delivering another devastating blow to the home side.

Aussies star man Reece Walsh saw a yellow card in the closing stages of the game, but Australia refused to let England in and held out for a pulsating 14-4 victory, sealing a 14th consecutive Ashes series win.

England will now look to end on a high at AMT Headingley Stadium in the third and final test of the 2025 ABK Beer Ashes Series.

Everton Test:

England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Herbie Farnworth, Jake Wardle, Tom Johnstone, George Williams, Harry Smith, Mike McMeeken, Jez Litten, Matty Lees, Kai Pearce-Paul, Kallum Watkins, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Mikey Lewis, Alex Walmsley, Morgan Smithies, Mikolaj Oledzki

Goals: Smith (2/2)

Australia: Reece Walsh, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibaski, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young, Patrick Carrigan. Subs: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Smith, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamtangi

Tries: Munster, Young

Goals: Cleary (3/4)

Half-time: 4-4

Full-time: 4-14

Referee: Grant Atkins