England ran out in red and delivered a much-improved performance in the third Ashes Test.
But ultimately the result was the same with Australia securing a 30-8 win in Leeds off the back of an inspired Harry Grant performance and Reece Walsh try double to retain the Ashes 3-0.
“Do you want an example of so close, yet so far?” Andrew Voss declared in commentary for Fox Sports.
Having ominously trailed 12-0 after 25 minutes, England reduced the margin to just four points by half time thanks to a clever run from hooker Jez Litten that set up a George Williams four-pointer, followed by a penalty right on the stroke of half time.
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With just 18 minutes to play England were still in the match up their necks trailing just 12-8 and relentlessly peppering the Kangaroos line in search of an unlikely lead.
Yet, somewhat cruelly, three late tries consigned Shaun Wane’s men to their biggest losing margin of the series.
Australia’s man of the match Harry Grant and fullback Reese Walsh will likely get most of the headlines, but as it’s been all series the big story was surely the impenetrable Australian defence.
The Kangaroos were rarely at their best with ball in hand, but repelled wave after wave of English attack on their own line, particularly in the second half.
Alas, as close as the home team came to landing a telling blow—and they did come very close—when an incisive dummy half run saw Harry Grant cross in the 62nd minute the English were the ones left with bloodied noses and broken hearts.
“You can call him Prince Harry if you dare,” Andrew Voss joked .
Shortly after, an England defensive knock down led to a somewhat fortunate try to Reece Walsh, who then doubled up with a side-stepping run in the 78th minute for a final scoreline of 30-8.
As Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo raised the Ashes trophy at full-time, it marked the 14th successive series victory for the Australians in a winning run that stretches back to the 1970s.
First played in 1908, the overall Ashes ledger now stands at 20 series wins for each nation.