England put Australia through the sternest of tests on the first day of the 2009 Ashes tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club overnight. West Australian duo Matt Jager and Jason Scrivener began the day well for the Australians with a comfortable 4&3 win over Sam Hutsby and Charlie Ford. Dale Whitnell and Matt Haines immediately removed Australia&aposs advantage with a comprehensive 7&6 win over Daniel Nisbet (QLD) and Brendan Smith (NSW). With the tie squared at 1-1 after the Foursomes, the afternoon singles got underway with plenty to play for. Unfortunately for the Australians, England showed their style on home soil with a resounding 4-1 win in the singles. Lincoln Tighe (NSW) lost to Matt Haines 3&1 while Dale Whitnell edged out Jason Scrivener (WA) 2-up. Sam Hutsby defeated Brendan Smith (NSW) 4&3 and Luke Goddard got the better of Daniel Nisbet 3&1. Matt Jager, after his morning win in the foursomes, continued that form with a narrow 1-up win over Charlie Ford. Australia now trail England 5-2 and will need to put in a solid second day performance to maintain hope of retaining their Ashes trophy. RESULTS Foursomes 1 – Hutsby & Ford lost to Jager & Scrivener 4&3 2 – Whitnell & Haines defeated Nisbet & Smith 7&6 Singles: 3 – Matt Haines defeated Lincoln Tighe 3&1. 4 – Dale Whitnell defeated Jason Scrivener 2-up. 5 – Sam Hutsby defeated Brendan Smith 4&3. 6 – Charlie Ford lost to Matt Jager 1-up. 7 – Luke Goddard defeated Dan Nisbet 3&1