After a hesitant start to the day in the 200m races at Exeter, Worcester Dragons hinted again at their best form to secure another major final place in the British Dragon Boat Association National League qualifying 400m class.

Racing under a cloudless sky alongside Exeter's Race for Life and to the accompaniment of jazz music, Worcester's premier crew took third place in a controversial final race of the day.

A hectic race schedule with a full programme of 200m sprints throughout themorning tested the stamina of the mixed squad of paddlers, including a new junior member.

A win in the minor final of the sprints, taking fourth place overall, was a good result after an unexpected defeat following a rushed start in the opening heat.

The afternoon programme was no less testing with a second place, to eventual winners Batchworth, in the opening heat of the 400m class consigning the crew to the repechages.

A fast time in their repechage, followed by an amazing result in the semi-final, was enough to guarantee a top three place.

Disappointing tactics by Henley, who closed limpet like on Batchworth in the final, left Worcester to paddle to an honest third place overall.

The result was just short of that needed to edge ahead of Liverpool based Amathus in second place and leaves the club in third place in the league, with three league races remaining.

Uncertain

Worcester hosts the penultimate race of the series on the River Severn by the Grandstand on August 10.

Worcester Dragons face an uncertain future as they seek a new home for the club when their tenancy is terminated in September.

Anyone able to offer any assistance to the club, who provide more than 2,000 water sessions a year to residents of Worcester, can contact the club chairman Tim Ward on 01905 773571.