Hill Dickinson Stadium history made as RFL chief makes Everton intentions clear after Ashes Test

History has been made at Hill Dickinson Stadium after the iconic venue on Liverpool’s waterfront played host to its first non-football event. A sell-out crowd watched on as England's bid to win the rugby league Ashes for the first time in more than half a century was ended after they were beaten 14-4 by Australia.

England were looking to respond following last weekend’s 26-6 defeat at Wembley, and Shaun Wane’s side certainly asked plenty of questions in the first-half. And after a tight and tense affair, the score was level at 4-4 heading into the break after both teams scored a couple of penalties each.

However, the second-half followed a similar pattern to last Saturday's encounter at the home of English football.

Cameron Munster scored the opening try of the game eight minutes into the second-half before Hudson Young touched down five minutes later.

The last time a British team won the Ashes was in 1970, and in the previous series, 22 years ago, Australia dealt Great Britain a 3-0 defeat.

Australia, the double-defending world champions, even saw Reece Walsh sent to the sin bin for deliberately making contact with Dom Young in the air just after the hour mark, but Wane's side still couldn't find a way through.

But while there was disappointment on the pitch, off it, the day was a great success with the atmosphere electric from start to finish.

And speaking to the ECHO before the game, Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial, revealed he is hoping today’s game is the first of many rugby league events to be held at Everton’s new home.

"It is a natural extension, I guess, from St Helens into Liverpool, it is the natural extension but we really hope we will be back at Everton in the very near distant future," he said.

“We are confident, and not only have we sold the stadium out, but we are confident that Saturday will be a huge success.

“Hopefully the club and stadium will recognise that we are a viable sport and viable sporting events as well. Hopefully we can get another event at Everton in the near future.”

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