SCOTLAND rescued some British pride with a nailbiting draw against the Italians in Workington on the second Sunday of the Rugby League World Cup.

Perhaps the Italians are not entirely deserving of their ‘bottom-ranked’ tag, pinned on them from the outset of the tournament, with respectable results involving three RL mainstays.

Any side with two Minichello brothers in the ranks needs some respect – but Danny Brough’s Bravehearts didn’t take a back seat to the Aussie imports as full-back Matty Russell dashed in from 20 yards for the opening try.

Anthony Laffranchi failed to put the new Warrington Wolves recruit to ground and it was left to video ref Thierry Alibert to detect the faintest of touchdowns as he carried on his merry way to the whitewash.

Eight-nil up (Brough goaled an early penalty), that advantage was hammered home when Kane Linnett profited from a spot of pinball off three Azzuri defenders to sneak over.

Anthony Minichello took charge, to smother a Brough clearing kick and establish a base from which Ryan Ghietti later kicked through and Cameron Ciraldo crossed.

And before the hooter man-of-the-match Raymond Nasso caught the Celts napping from just 10 yards to score to the left of the posts.

Nip and tuck dictated the second period, with first a beautiful Ben Hellwell-Brett Carter combination sending Danny Addy in, only for Nasso to engender a little déjà vu, making it over with the Scots dozing again.

Quick crossfield passing, started by Brough and ended by Hellewell, saw the boys in dark blue edge out to 26-18.

But a Chris Centrone score, via a brilliant flying set-up pass by Aidan Guerra, coupled with Minichello (A) beating Russell to a ricocheted kick by James Tedesco, saw Italy take their only lead of the afternoon.

Brough fashioned a moment of sheer class, to chip and chase over the Latin backline, then feed nearly half of his side for Hellwell’s second.

Each side had a thwarted attempt at a drop-goal – but the sporting gods saw fit to see this one finish on a 30-all draw.

The two sides’ respective clashes with Tonga and the USA will now determine who gets the spoils in Groups C and D.

Lacklustre Wales didn't have the guile nor guts to overcome an eager US outfit in Wrexham.

An opening effort down the left touchline which saw Neil Budworth, Rhys Williams and Christiaan Roets combine at speed boded well for the Dragons.

But it was an American Dream for Terry Matterson’s boys as Mark Offerdahl and Clint Newton bossed the middle of the park thereafter.

Newton, who with South Carolina roots can at least claim to be a genuine Tomahawk, burst over in trademark fashion to level it.

Then an arrow-like pass, on 23 minutes, by standout player Joseph Paulo, sent Matt Petersen in from a seemingly tame position.

Tight at the interval, it was the Welsh who should have crossed after extended pressure was brought to bear.

But a nightmare spill from full-back Rhys Evans after a hanging fifth-tackle kick saw the World Cup co-hosts dawdle.

And a heavy price was paid, Paulo bagging four points with the Welsh floundering in defence moments later.

Another self-inflicted wound saw firecracker Tuisegasega Samoa thunder through with four Welsh defenders playing pat-a-cake.

Fumbling around turned to farce shortly afterwards as captains Craig Kopzcak and Paulho squared up just after the hour mark.

No-one in red seemed to tune in so Craig Preistly said 'gee, thanks', releasing Newton for an easy run-in.

With time ebbing away Wales decided it may be useful to emulate the kind of play which put them in front, prompting a second for Roets and Anthony Walker chasing a hopeful Peter Lupton kick to drag it back to 24-16.

Eight point in just over two minutes is Hollywood stuff and the Americans had advance notice of the script unfortunately.

Little consolation to glean from a lamentable showing for coach Iestyn Harris, with only a dead rubber against the Cook Islands in Neath to come.