Scotland scored four tries and held Samoa scoreless in their 34-0 win in Kobe on Monday while also battling heat and humidity for their first Pool A victory at the Rugby World Cup.

Gregor Townsend's men earned a much-needed bonus point and bounced back from their disappointing 27-3 loss to Ireland in their opener, keeping alive their hopes of moving out of the pool that also includes Japan and Russia.

Scotland opened the scoring on a Greig Laidlaw penalty kick less than 10 minutes into the game, but both sides failed to add points for the next 20 minutes until a Sean Maitland try opened the floodgates at Kobe Misaki Stadium (Noevir Stadium).

(Sean Maitland scores a try in the first half for Scotland)

Townsend and captain Stuart McInally repeated several times after the match they were pleased with the performance of the squad, which pulled off the first shutout of the tournament and defeated Samoa for the fourth time at the sport's showpiece event.

"I was very pleased with the performance as a whole. We started the game well and I was pleased with how we managed the game as well," McInally said.

Related coverage:

Rugby: RWC to push through with France-U.S. game despite typhoon

Rugby: JRFU negotiating contract extension with Japan coach Joseph: sources

Rugby: Typhoon could alter schedule for France-U.S. clash in Kyushu

"It was 3-0 for a long time in that game, and we just had to keep playing the way we wanted to and we were confident our game would give us tries later in the game. I was very pleased with the performance."

Pool A is wide open following Japan's win over Ireland on Saturday, the largest upset at the tournament so far. The hosts lead the pool with nine points after each team has played two matches.

(Scott Laidlaw holds off a Samoan opponent on the way to scoring a try)

reland are placed second with six points, while Samoa and Scotland have five points each. Russia have yet to register a win.

Maitland scored Scotland's first try in the 29th minute, dotting in the corner after catching a well-placed kick from flyhalf Finn Russell. Laidlaw added the extras and Scotland bagged 10 more points in the next seven minutes.

The scrumhalf touched down near the posts after receiving a pass in Samoa's 22, and Stuart Hogg added a drop goal to give his team a 20-0 lead at the break.

Samoa were on the backfoot for the majority of the game, and indiscipline proved costly. Scotland were awarded two penalty tries in the second stanza following infringements by Samoa wing Ed Fidow.

"The goal was to win the game, and we believed that with the pressure we built up, the opportunities would come in the second half," Townsend said.

"We're all delighted to get that bonus point - we've two games to go and if we play like we did tonight and improve a couple more aspects we'll very much be in this World Cup."

Fidow, who scored a brace in their win over Russia, received a red card with less than 10 minutes left in the game after he was sinbinned earlier.

"Scotland were very good tonight, you've got to give credit where credit's due," Samoa head coach Vaeluaga Steve Jackson said.

"We still went into halftime believing that we could come back. We started well after halftime, but then again, poor execution. Poor execution is probably due to the fact that they defended very well."

While Samoa opened their World Cup campaign with a 34-9 win, two players were banned for dangerous high tackles in that game.

Scotland will face Russia on Oct. 9 in Shizuoka before facing hosts Japan in Yokohama four days later. Samoa will be up against the Brave Blossoms on Saturday before they meet Ireland on Oct. 12.