Scotland lead United States at break

Scotland 24, USA 9 HT

Simon Danielli continued his superb start to the World Cup with two tries in three minutes and prop Gavin Kerr also touched down as Scotland opened up a solid 24-9 lead over the United States.

Scotland however ended the half a man down as Tom Smith was sin-binned for a professional foul.

A line-out on the American 22-metre line should have been an ideal chance for a Scottish attack, but scrum-half Michael Petrie made a bad error and conceded possession.

But when the Americans gave possession back again straight away Scotland were more ruthless and launched a backline move that gave Danielli his second try.

The Bath winger went over in the same corner as his first effort, this time carrying two tacklers over the line with him.

Paterson continued his excellent game with the boot, converting again from wide out to make it 17-6.

Poor hands cost the Scots a promising position just before the half-hour mark, openside flanker Jon Petrie dropping an easy pass and giving possession to the Eagles.

Petrie made up for it with a driving tackle on Hercus a few moments later, that hit disrupting the American momentum and eventually winning possession back again.

Scotland could have gone further ahead after the US were penalised for obstruction, but Paterson pushed his kick to the right.

In the 34th minute a burst through the centre by full-back Glenn Metcalfe only ended when his pass was snaffled by American prop Mike MacDonald.

The Scots grabbed their third try when Gavin Kerr charged down a clearing kick by Paul Emerick and then beat the cover defence to touch down. The video referee awarded the effort and Paterson's conversion made it 24-6.

The USA were desperately close through first MacDonald and then Hercus, and it took a professional foul from Tom Smith to stop them and he was sent to the sin-bin just before half-time. Hercus kicked the penalty to leave it 24-9 at the break.