GEORGE, South Africa – Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie combined for a 4-under 69 playing alternate shot to help Scotland share the lead with Japan after the second round of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday.

Italy, which was atop the leaderboard with Canada after the first round, was one stroke back. South Korea was two shots behind after Jeong Jang and Bo Bae Song carded a 5-under 68.

The American team of Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel were three back following a 74. They shared that spot with Laura Davies and Karen Stupples of England (74), and Karrie Webb and Rachel Hetherington of Australia (75).

Playing on a breezy afternoon, Matthew and Moodie had five birdies on the front nine. But the Scots dropped two shots on the back nine as the wind picked up.

Japanese teenager Ai Miyazato and teammate Rui Kitada also had trouble at the end of their round. They ended at 1 under after bogeying the last two holes, dropping into a share of the lead on the links layout at the Fancourt Country Club Estate.

Scotland’s round was built on consistency over the 6,424-yard course.

“We spent the day simply trying to hit the fairways and greens,” Matthew said.

After opening with a 66, Diana Luna and Giulia Sergas of Italy slipped to a 75. Lorie Kane and Dawn Coe-Jones of Canada carded a 79 to fall five off the lead.

AP-ES-02-12-05 1125EST