Scotland 53 United States 6

Date:  04 Nov 2000
Venue:  Murrayfield
Attendance:  35638
Referee:  Deluca p.

Gregor Townsend's virtuoso performance helped Scotland beat the United States 53-6 at Murrayfield, giving the Scots an ideal start to their autumn Test programme.

The game only came to life for the 35,638 crowd in the second half when the hosts rattled in five tries without replay after leading 15-3 at the interval.

Townsend, restored at fly-half, kicked four successive penalties in the opening quarter as Scotland ran into an early 12-0 lead.

But Scotland's focus wavered and the Americans responded, full-back Kurt Shuman prevented from scoring by some determined Scottish defence.

Roused by the scare Scotland reorganised and Townsend, intelligently drawing his cover defence, allowed John Leslie to snipe through but he was caught in possession when attempting to feed the unmarked Jon Steel.

Fly-half Grant Wells put America on the board with a well struck 25-yard penalty goal on the half-hour mark to reduce the deficit to nine points as his team applied pressure.

Scotland were increasingly becoming frustrated by the Americans' persistent infringement of the offside line as well as their own inability to penetrate through well-timed support.

With the break beckoning Townsend extended Scotland's interval lead to 15-3 with his fifth penalty goal of the evening as the United States strayed offside again.

Responding to coach Ian McGeechan's dressing down at the break, Scotland resumed the second period in more determined heart.

But America refused to lie down and in reality offered far more than simple raw courage and commitment.

In the 50th minute Scotland's persistence was finally rewarded when Leslie, a pivotal figure in the Scots' second-half resurgence, snaffled Shuman's misdirected pass and Bryan Redpath fed Budge Pountney, who scored from close range.

Five minutes later Scotland increased their advantage following some slack building-up play.

Scott Murray palmed a line-out ball after Scotland had kicked a penalty to touch and Leslie crashed over.

The Americans' resolve had now gone and with the ship creaking Chris Paterson (pictured) finished off in the far left-hand corner on the hour mark after John Petrie's blind-side surge had caught the Americans napping.

In the 62nd minute Wells suddenly found his kicking boots, converting a second American penalty goal to give his side some relief.

But Scotland were now well in charge and in the 67th minute Townsend effectively ended the game as a contest, knifing through a gap after Cammie Murray's initial incision.  The Scotland stand-off also converted and Scotland were cruising.

In a rousing finale Scotland scored two further tries as their penetration and cutting edge reduced the Americans to bemused bystanders.

In the 79th minute Leslie, now back to full fitness since injuring his ankle against South African in the World Cup last October, cut loose to score his second try.

Not to be outdone, though, Townsend extended the final margin of victory with a superb try of his own, shimmying his way through two attempted tackles to score.

Scotland
Tries:  Budge Pountney, John Leslie (2), Chris Paterson, Gregor Townsend (2)
Conversions:  Townsend (4)
Penalties:  Townsend (5)

United States
Penalties:  Grant Wells (2)