Scott Erney threw an 86-yard touchdown pass and Teddy Garcia kicked two field goals to lead the Barcelona Dragons to a 13-7 World League victory over the London Monarchs in Barcelona, Spain, in a rematch of last season's championship game.
Erney hooked up with Thomas Woods on the first play from scrimmage to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead. Garcia converted two 22-yard field goals in the second quarter to give last year's league runner-up a 13-0 halftime advantage.London scored with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter when Stan Gelbaugh connected with Bernard Ford on a 29-yard scoring strike. Gelbaugh was the league's Most Valuable Player last year when the Monarchs won the inaugurl title.
Barcelona linebacker Eric Naposki had a blocked punt, two fumble recoveries, forced a third fumble, picked off a pass and recorded a sack.
Surge 14, Machine 7
At Sacramento, Calif., relying on one of the WLAF's best defenses, the Sacramento Surge defeated the Montreal Machine, keeping the Surge the only unbeaten team in the West Division.
Sacramento (3-0) scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard plunge by Mike Pringle with 2:11 left in the game, breaking a 7-7 tie. The touchdown was set up by a 37-yard pass play from David Archer to Carl Parker to give the Surge a first down at the Machine 4. Pringle carried for 3 yards before scoring over right guard.
Riders 9, Knights 3
At East Rutherford, N.J., Jim Gallery kicked three second-half field goals after backup quarterback Mike Johnson got San Antonio going and the Riders posted a victory over the winless New York-New Jersey Knights.
The Knights' home opener drew an announced crowd of 33,659.