LEEDS, England — Scotland scored five tries in another second-half show at the Rugby World Cup to beat the United States 39-16 and move into first place in Pool B Sunday. Using a swarming defense and a strong scrum, the Eagles were on course for their fourth — and easily most stunning — win at the tournament after taking a 13-6 lead at halftime on prop Titi Lamositele's try. Just like in the 45-10 win over Japan Wednesday, the Scots were much slicker after the break and four tries in a 23-minute spell earned them a bonus point by the 65th. Duncan Weir added a fifth try on the last play of the game as Scotland moved onto defining games against South Africa and Samoa with maximum points. The US team has lost both of its games so far but will be encouraged by its first-half display that had Scotland rocking at Elland Road, the home of English football club Leeds. A sour note for Scotland was the sight of lock Grant Gilchrist and flyhalf Finn Russell going off injured either side of halftime, with a four-day turnaround from the Japan game perhaps taking its toll on two retained players. Given the relatively short journey south from Scotland, it was like a home game for coach Vern Cotter's side. The sound of kilted bagpipers before kickoff would have made the Scots feel even more at home. But by halftime, it was the small pockets of American fans, waving US flags and chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A," who could be heard more with another Pool B shock possible after Japan stunned the Springboks on the opening weekend. The Eagles' physicality in defense was too much for Scotland in the first half, as was their reading of predictable backline plays. When the American defense was pierced, Scotland's handling was poor. Throw in a malfunctioning scrum and the Scots appeared there for the taking. The sides were separated at halftime by Lamositele's 21st-minute try, with the prop barging over from close range after hooker Phillip Thiel was held up a meter from the tryline. While AJ MacGinty kicked his three first-half goals, Scotland missed two of its four penalties. Whatever Scotland coach Vern Cotter said at halftime worked. Within two minutes, slick handling put Tim Visser over down the left, and opposite wing Sean Maitland ran onto a pop pass from Russell in a gap and sprinted behind the posts in the 47th. A charge-down from Tim Swinson gave Scotland another attacking platform near the US line. After a lineout and some phases, WP Nel dipped his shoulder and forced his way over in the 54th. Matt Scott's powerful charge through MacGinty from 10 meters out sealed the bonus point, and Weir carved through a tiring US defense in the last minute. — AP
