A DOZEN crews from the county raced the dragon to the beat of the drum but it was no day for messing about on the river, especially for Stourport Boat Club juniors.

They returned to improve on their third place last year, edging out WonQi DonQis, from QinetiQ, and 2004 champions Halcrow Dragons in the fastest race of the day to lift the Lea & Perrins Cup.

The juniors, emulating the past performances of senior crews from the club, took the whole day in their stride, completing a clean sweep in all their races.

As regatta champions, they automatically secured the award for the best-placed junior crew ahead of a second entry from the club.

Newcomers to yesterday's Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club's 15th annual regatta, Puff the Magic Purac from Kidderminster, not only made the cup competition but snatched victory from DSTL and Deritend Lightweights in the minor final.

Purac mastered the principles of the unique team sport, showing great discipline and timing to overcome a strong challenge.

The novice plate competition proved to be equally exciting with blanket finishes in both major and minor finals. Most improved crew on the day, Elgar Enigma from Elgar Technology College, staged an enigmatic performance to edge out Craegmoor Healthcare's Splash and Burn into third place but both were pipped on the line by the mixed crew from QinetiQ, FunQi MunQi.

The margin of half-a-second was sufficient to earn the MunQis the title of novice champions and the matching magnificent silver plate trophy for fastest novice crew.

Racing with at least eight ladies in the boat also secured the best-placed mixed title for the QinetiQ crew, adding to their haul.

The line-up was completed with a fine race between Marks & Spencer's Donkeys R Us, Beancounters from Ballard Dale Syree accountants and Stourport's second junior crew. Beancounters pushed Donkeys R Us to the line while under similar pressure from the juniors.

The beneficiaries of the club's charitable donation, Chiron Volunteer Ambulance, had little to do with perfect racing conditions and competitors well prepared for the heatwave.

The remainder of the summer offers a bonanza of dragon boat racing in the city with events looming in early July and also as part of the Severn Boat Festival at the end of the month, culminating in the Worcester round of the National League on August 20.

For more information on the sport, e-mailinfo@worcester-dragons.org.uk or call 01905-429257.