However, results elsewhere meant that Jim Mallinder's side failed to make it into the top four of the pool round, and hence missed out on the championship semi finals.
Scotland entered this match as underdogs but their famous pride and energy kept England well at bay in the first half. Stifling their enterprise and snuffing out every last chance, David Blair's calm precision instead landed three penalties for John Jeffrey's men and it was the Scots who led 9-0 at the break.
The second half started with a downpour and, of the two teams, England obviously felt more at home. First Anthony Allen scored, then Jordan Crane broke through from a scrum and suddenly England were in the ascendancy and leading 10-9.
The Scots found it hard to respond and when English prop Alex Rogers went over for his side's third try the tables had well and truly turned. Despite another penalty for Blair, James Haskell's try secured the win and the bonus point before Crane's second.
Job done, Mallinder and his players had a nervous wait to find out the results in the other matches. They were hopeful but soon the smiles had disappeared as, effectively, Australia's win against New Zealand had edged them out of the semi final draw. Equal disappointment for the Scots after their fine first half performance was all but forgotten, wiped out by England's second half tirade.
You can see photos of Scotland's U21 World Cup campaign here