Scotland eased to a 24-6 victory in their Test clash against the USA in Houston to mark new head coach Vern Cotter's first game with a win.
Cotter's side had the chance to take an early lead but Greig Laidlaw's kick from 40 yards clattered off the post. Minutes later Laidlaw atoned for his error by putting his side in front with a short kick from the right.
The USA struck back immediately as they earned a penalty of their own, and full-back Chris Wyles's kick sailed between the uprights to level the scores.
Scotland scored their first try when Laidlaw broke through the line and released Tim Visser, who went over to hand his side the advantage once again, while Laidlaw added the conversion.
The visitors took control of the game in the 31st minute when they were awarded a penalty try as the USA scrum buckled on the line, and again Laidlaw fired the conversion through the posts.
After the break, Scotland struggled to kill the game off and the hosts got themselves back on the scoresheet when Wyles fired his second kick of the night through from 30 yards.
However, Cotter's side sealed the win when Stuart Hogg made a great grab on the halfway line and ran all the way under the posts to score the try to leave a simple conversion for Laidlaw, who made no mistake with his kick to confirm the victory.
Simon Sinclair
