Hat-trick for Ashman as Scots down the Eagles

By Sam Jackson

USA …………………… 7pts

Tries: Boni 32

Conversions: MacGinty 33

Scotland ………. 42pts

Tries: van der Merwe 6, Ashman 19, 26, 40+3; Horne 50, Fagerson 73

Conversions: Hastings 7, 21, 28, 45, 51; Thompson 74

Duhan van der Merwe scored his 27th international try to equal Stuart Hogg’s Scottish record as Gregor Townsend’s side smashed USA for six in Washington on Friday night.

Hooker Ewan Ashman scored a first-half hat-trick at the back of a dominant maul, while Tommaso Boni capitalised on Matt Fagerson’s error for the hosts’ only try.

Further tries from George Horne and Fagerson in the second half helped Scotland build on last week’s comprehensive win over Canada.

Scotland now head for South America, where they play two further Tests against Chile (July 20) and Uruguay (July 27).

Townsend made 15 changes after the 73-12 rout of Canada and it took just six minutes for van der Merwe to get the first try. He came off his wing, ran an excellent line and punched through a hole to coast under the posts.

In his return to the No.10 jersey after two years, Adam Hastings added the extras.

AJ MacGinty missed a penalty chance to put USA on the board and soon after, following USA indiscipline, Scotland kicked to the corner and a textbook rolling maul saw Ashman piercing his way through for his fifth Test try.

The Eagles continued to lack discipline, and in the 25th minute tighthead David Ainu’u was sent to the bin for repeated infringements at the ruck.

From a lineout on the left, Scott Cummings ensured safe ball and Ashman got his second. Hastings made it three from three with another simple conversion for 21-0.

Slippery conditions saw Fagerson fumble at the back of a scrum Mac-Ginty secured possession for USA, and after quickly recycling the Eagles land their first points through Tomasso Boni who ran in a short line to score. Mac-Ginty converted but that was as good as it got for USA. He misssed another shot at goal and it was one-way traffic from there on in.

Ashman powered over for his hat-trick before half-time from another rolling maul for 28-7.

Right wing Rowe broke away along the blindside to set up Horne with a pop pass inside for Scotland’s fifth try 10 minutes into the half.

Wet conditions continued to pose problems for both sides in the next 20 minutes. Scotland went close when Rowe chipped the ball through for Steyn who knocked on over the line but they finally got their sixth when a dominant scrum drive allowed No.8 Fagerson to touch down with replacement Ross Thompson converting to complete a perfect night from the tee.