Scotland has bounced back from last weekend's upset loss to Canada to down a valiant USA 'A' side 24-8 Tuesday near Portland, Oregon. Two tries to the Scots against one by the Americans was the story of the day.

A windy and cloudy afternoon greeted the players and a good crowd of around 1100. The first half was marred by handling errors and spilled ball by both sides, although Scotland dominated possession and territory. As a result, it was left to Scotland's Gordon Ross to take advantage of US infringements to boot three penalty goals.

Ross dissected the uprights in the 21st, 22nd and 28th minutes to send Scotland to the break with a handy 9-0 lead.

The USA was first onto the scoreboard in the second period when flyhalf Grant Wells kicked a penalty in the 45th minute to close the gap to 9-3. However, the Scots increased their lead to 12-3 when Ross booted another penalty goal at the 51st minute mark.

Scotland continued to mount sustained pressure and in the 59th minute Graeme Burns exploited a gap in the American defence to crash over for the first try of the game. Ross converted to put the tourists further ahead 19-3.

The Eagle hopefuls weren't done though and as the match moved into the final quarter they put together one of the best periods of play in the game. Fullback John Buchholz started a counter attack movement and replacement flyhalf Mike Hercus chimed in to set up flanker Aaron Satchwell for a good try in the 63rd minute. It was unconverted to leave the USA trailing 8-19.

With the clock winding down, a disorganized American clearance deep in their own end allowed Scotland to seal the deal with a try to loose forward Allister Hogg in the 69th minute. It was unconverted to make the final score 24-8.

Scotland meets the United States in a full international on Saturday in San Francisco.

Referee: Masahiro Sakuraoka (Japan)

United States A: John Buchholz; Jone Naqica, Riaan Hamilton, Ben Trautwein, David Fee (Paul Emerick); Grant Wells (Mike Hercus), Doug Rowe (Kimball Kjar); Andy McGarry (Captain), Dan Anderson, Dan Dorsey (John Tarpoff), Brian Surgener, Greg Alley (Philippe Farner), Conrad
Hodgson (Scott Lawrence), Matt Huckaby, Aaron Satchwell.

Scotland: Ben Hinshelwood; Nikki Walker, Marcus Di Rollo (Brendan Laney 54-63), Andrew Henderson, Tom Philip; Gordon Ross, Graeme Burns (Captain), Allan Jacobsen, Stephen Scott (Bruce Douglas), Joel Brannigan, Nathan Ross (Donnie Macfadyen 32-35), Andrew Hall, Andrew
Dall, Allister Hogg, Eric Peters