Scots World Cup dream still alive

SCOTLAND has sustained its World Cup odyssey with a comeback win over the USA.

Scots still alive

SCOTLAND has sustained its World Cup odyssey with a comeback win over the USA.

Steve McCormack's unfancied side in the box seat for an improbable quarter-final encounter with New Zealand, the holders, next Friday.

From 8-0 down, Scotland dominated the second half as the United States, in the knowledge that their quarter-final against Australia was already booked, laboured in failing to prevent the Bravehearts, in full cry, claiming their second win of the tournament after beating Tonga and drawing with Italy.

Should Tonga beat Italy in Halifax on Sunday, Scotland will be through to the knockout phase, but with Italy level on points difference after their opening win against Wales, the Azzurri would qualify with another victory in their respective unlikely journey through the pool stages.

The US succumbed to their first defeat, but they were organised, determined and dangerous for 50 minutes before Scotland eventually prevailed and Alex Hurst finished the game with a flourish in adding the Scots' fourth try on the left wing in the final minute.

Whenever Scotland thought they were making inroads in the first half, everything seemed to conspire against them. If it was not a try being pulled back for a forward pass or players being held up by Tomahawks tacklers flinging themselves at everything in blue, Henry Perenara, the video referee, was ruling against them. Danny Brough dummied and stepped over for an apparent score, which was ruled out for obstruction that was accidental.

Perenara applied the strict letter of the law in that case but how he spotted Kristian Freed squeezing the ball down in Ben Hellewell's tackle was anyone's guess. There was no doubt about the second US touchdown as Taylor Welch, a Texan who plays for Chicago Griffins, reached a neatly threaded kick by Chris Priestly for an 8-0 lead that left the Scots cursing their luck.

It took until the 50th minute for them to get off the mark, when Brough held up a pass for the unstoppable Brett Phillips. It was the momentum switch that Scotland had sought and they took the lead four minutes later through Matty Russell. The Warrington Wolves-bound full back claimed his fourth try of the tournament in reaching past the outstretched arm of Clint Newton and rounding off neat interplay between Brough and Peter Wallace.

Hurst assumed that he had bagged a third try in seven minutes, only for Perenera to rule out his lunge for the corner. This time Scotland kept their frustration in check and in running a penalty after the tiring Americans were caught offside, Luke Douglas went for the jugular in driving straight and skittling defenders for a third try.

England have made three changes to the side that beat Ireland 42-0 for tomorrow's final group against Fiji in Hull, with Sam Burgess returning from suspension, Lee Mossop recalled at prop and a first appearance in the tournament for Michael McIlorum, the Wigan Warriors hooker.

The Times