World Cup: Scotland vs USA

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Douglas helps Scots keep dream alive

iSelect Titans prop Luke Douglas scored a crucial try as Scotland's World Cup adventure continued with a 22-8 win over USA at the Rugby League World Cup this morning.

Doulgas scored a vital 63rd minute try as Scotland mounted a second-half comeback to seal the win and keep their undefeated run going at the RLWC following their last-start draw with Italy.

Defeat for Italy against Tonga will send the Bravehearts through to an unlikely quarter-final clash with holders New Zealand. A win for the Azzurri though and rank outsiders Scotland will bow out of the competition undefeated, their heads held high after yet another cracking game.

Unlike in the first two group games, when they stormed ahead only to be pinned back, they needed a second-half comeback themselves to seal the win. With Danny Brough and Peter Wallace oozing class in the halves, they took absolute control of the game.

Scotland had three tries disallowed by the video referee having had to overcome a shock minutes before the game when retiring London Broncos hooker Ben Fisher – whose career ends at this tournament – was carried off with a torn calf. Already without the injured Ian Henderson, it meant veteran Andrew Henderson had the hooker role all to himself.

Fisher wept and was consoled by his team-mates, including Brough, who could not hold his emotions in check during the singing of ‘Scotland the Brave’ and broke down, hugging Fisher at the end as they comforted each other.

Despite being fired up by the setback, Scotland got off to a poor start with a series of needless penalties and knock-ons. The US took advantage, star man Joseph Paulo throwing a short pass for full-back Kristian Freed, who will surely not be playing in the French second division for long after this tournament, to roll over the line. To the surprise of most in the crowd, video ref Henry Perenara gave the try.

Scotland responded with a fabulous run by Matt Russell only for Ben Hellewell to be held up over the line. The Bravehearts' halves moved the ball left only for left winger Alex Hurst to have a try disallowed for a forward pass by Brough.

The US had the upper hand and from a penalty, scrum-half Craig Priestly’s grubber popped up for Texan winger Taylor Welch to touch down. Paulo was unsuccessful with his second successive conversion attempt, the Americans leading 8-0 after 23 minutes.

Scotland stepped up a gear and took control. In the 14 minutes before the break, Hurst was held up over the line, Brough had a magical 28th minute try ruled out by Perenara for supposed obstruction during a dazzling 30 metre slalom to the line, and Hurst was held up again after a frantic Scottish attack. It must have felt like the world was against the Bravehearts as they went in 8-0 down.

Henderson finally got a breather after 47 minutes of action, Danny Addy moving to hooker. Fortune may have changed direction: Luke Douglas juggled a ball in the tackle, ref Thierry Alibert waved play on and Brough sent Brett Phillips over on the left after 51 minutes. Brough’s conversion from out wide hit the post but it was enough to rouse the crowd.

Moments later they were in raptures as Man of the Match Russell got his fourth try of the tournament with a magnificent run through heavy traffic. Brough nudged Scotland 10-8 ahead.

Hurst was then denied for a fourth time, driving in to the left hand corner only to be ruled in touch by the video ref. In a rare US attack, Matt Petersen was denied a try by David Scott’s tackle, the youngster from Stirling having a solid World Cup debut.

The men wearing poppies on their navy shirts and the Royal Marines' dagger on their tartan shorts were rampant, the inspirational second rower-turned-centre Dale Ferguson leading the way. Prop Douglas rumbled over from close range after a penalty on 63 minutes, Brough making it 16-8.

A series of penalties against a tired American side marched Scotland down the pitch towards Barton Bridge as the minutes ticked away while they went in search of more tries to wipe out Italy’s 14 points difference. Tempers flared as the imperious Wallace was dumped by Haveatama Luani, who was put on report.

From the penalty, Brough worked the ball wide for Hurst to finally get the try his dogged display more than merited. Released by London Broncos, Hurst is without a club: incredible for a man who took 26 carries and ran 236 metres on a career-defining night. The skipper Brough swung the touchline conversion over to negate the Italians’ points difference on the hooter.

Now all eyes turn to Halifax on Sunday.

Scotland: Matt Russell, David Scott, Danny Addy, Ben Hellewell, Alex Hurst, Danny Brough, Peter Wallace, Adam Walker, Andrew Henderson, Luke Douglas, Brett Phillips, Dale Ferguson, Ben Kavanagh. Subs: Mitchell Stringer, Oliver Wilkes, Alex Szostak, Sam Barlow.
Tries: Phillips (51), Russell (54), Douglas (63), Hurst (79). Goals: Brough 3/4.

USA: Kristian Freed, Bureta Faraimo, Taylor Welch, Michael Garvey, Matt Petersen, Joseph Paulo, Craig Priestly, Mark Offerdahl, Tuisegasega Samoa, Eddy Pettybourne, Clint Newton, Matt Shipway, Daniel Howard. Subs: David Marando, Roman Hifo, Haveatama Luani, Judah Lavulo.
Tries: Freed (8), Welch (23). Goals: Paulo 0/2.

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France)
Att: 6,041.

Source: http://www.titans.com

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Very proud of my adopted Scots!

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Scotland v USA player ratings

Every player's performance rated from Scotland's 22-8 win over the USA.

SCOTLAND

1. Matthew Russell: Man of the Match performance from the rising star, busting nine tackles and breaching the USA defence twice. Scored a try as well, taking him to four for the tournament. Why did the Titans let him go back to Warrington? 9

2. Alex Hurst: Desperately unlucky not to score more than the one try. Made a game-high 201 metres. 7.5

3. Ben Hellewell: Worked hard for 87 metres, and was held up over the line once, but spilled the ball three times. 6

4. Danny Addy: Got through a mountain of defence, amazingly leading the team with 34 tackles. Didn't see a lot of the pill. 7.

5. David Scott: Made a try-saving tackle in the second half, and did the hard work with 114 metres from 16 carries.

6. Danny Brough: Unlucky not to get best on ground, creating plenty of chances in attack and really forcing the issue. Set up two tries, two line breaks, and should've got a try himself. Great performance. 9

7. Peter Wallace: A typically steady performance from the former Bronco, deferred plenty of ball to Brough and kicked well. 7

8. Adam Walker: One of four forwards to crack the 100-metre barrier, carrying the ball 12 times and the only Scottish forward not to miss a tackle. 7.5

14. Andrew Henderson: Worked tireless in defence, making 33 tackles and did a good job of getting his forwards on the front foot. 7

10. Luke Douglas: Topped off another workhorse performance with a try. Averaging 126 metres and 41 tackles for the tournament. 7.5

11. Brett Phillips: Used every inch of his 193cm frame to make 131 metres. Scored a good try on the left edge, too. 7

12. Dale Ferguson: All aggression and fire in both attack and defence but had some quality in his work too, making 115 metres, 31 tackles and busting five. Will be in trouble for a terrible-looking crusher tackle though. 7.5

13. Ben Kavanagh: Made 70 metres from his 10 runs but didn't do a whole lot else. 6.5

15. Alex Szostak: Carried the ball just four times, but contributed 20 tackles. 5.5

16. Mitchell Stringer: A strong second half coincided with momentum turning to Scotland's favour. 6

17. Oliver Wilkes: Ran the ball more than any other bench player, making 77 metres. 6

18. Sam Barlow: Came in late after an unfortunate warm-up calf injury to Ben Fisher, who looks to have announced his retirement. Barlow showed good footwork in the little time he was on. 6.5

USA

1. Kristian Freed: Scored a fortunate try in the first half but was otherwise well contained, making just 78 metres. 6.5

2. Bureta Faraimo: His battle with his opposite in Hurst got fiery as the game wore on. One of the Tomahawks' best, showing great strength for 171 metres from 19 runs. 7.5

3. Taylor Welch: The only Tomahawk to play in the Super League showed good speed to chase down a grubber. 6.5

4. Michael Garvey: Made a couple of good one-on-one tackles but wasn't as involved in attack as he would've liked. 6

5. Matt Petersen: Didn't see a whole lot of ball and missed an opportunity to score at the end. 5.5

6: Joseph Paulo: Probably won't get his face up on Mount Rushmore any time soon, with a couple of early errors and two missed shots at goal after setting up his team's first try. 6

7: Craig Preistly: A really professional performance from the Southhampton Dragons owner. His short kicking game is class and was strong in defence. 7.5

8. Mark Offerdahl: Made 93 quality metres from 11 runs. Solid from the strong man. 7

9. Tui Samoa: Showed bravery to come back on in the second half after being hurt with a crusher tackle in the first. Good speed out of dummy half. 7

10. Eddy Pettybourne: We're going to put it out there – one of the best games of his career. 178 metres from 22 runs and 28 tackles was machine-like. 7.5

11. Clint Newton: Made 35 tackles and 99 metres but, like most of his team-mates, tired as the game wore on. 7

12. Matt Shipway: Would've liked to see more ball, running it just nine times for 67 metres and busting three tackles. 6.5

13. Danny Howard: Worked hard for 106 metres and 27 tackles. 6.5

14. David Marando: Came on midway through first half but didn't have much of an impact. 5

15. Roman Hifo: Made a couple of strong runs, but was made to carry the ball from deep in his half. 5.5

16. Joel Luani: Got carried away with the niggle late in the game and got himself on report for lifting in a tackle. 5.5

17. Judah Lavulo: Did very little, making just 12 metres from two runs and three tackles. 4

Source: http://www.nrl.com