A sub two-minute time over 500 metres and second place were fitting rewards for Worcester Dragons' efforts in the Teesside round of the British Dragon Boat Association National League.

Despite the low turnout of crews all the major players were present to defend their chances of winning the premier division title.

Too few crews are prepared to match the dedication of the Castlegate-based Powermen and make the long trip north, but the Dragons were well represented.

Respectable times just tenths of a second outside the magic minute in the 250 metre sprints, set the scene for an outstanding day's racing by the club, running as a mixed crew on the day.

Once again the ladies from the club turned out in force to help maintain a 100 per cent attendance at events this season.

The same margin of tenths of a second pushed the crew out of the major final but gave them the satisfaction of a clear water win ahead of Three River Serpents in the minor final.

The qualifying heats of the 500 metre competition were just as close as the 250's, Worcester having the advantage over Liverpool based Amathus after the first heat with tenths splits on 2:07.

This would have been classed as an outstanding performance by the club just a few years ago but the vast improvement of paddling ability within the club over that period sets much higher standards.

Amathus took the initiative in the second heat, improving their time by a second while being toyed with by Thames Taniwhas.

The Worcester crew treated their second heat as a final knowing that an improved time was needed to qualify for the major final.

A close race brought victory over the Powermen with an improvement of almost four seconds, over a boat length on their opening heat, and a major final place secured.

Not content with a likely fourth place the crew went out with nothing to lose against Thames, Batchworth and the Powermen.

Now running with just 18 due to injury, the crew nailed the start to hold Thames to less than half a boat length.

Crowded by Thames, but holding their racing line, Worcester raised their game once more to stay in contention through to the drive.

Spurred on by the look of disbelief in the whites of the Taniwhas eyes, the crew pulled out their best drive for the line to push Batchworth and the Powermen into third and fourth places.

It was an outstanding achievement with a further improvement of more than three seconds over the second heat and more than seven seconds on the day to break the magic two minutes, a first for most of the crew!

Dragon boat racing comes to Worcester all day on Sunday (June 23) with the club's annual Race the Dragon Regatta on the River Severn, running between the railway bridge and the Grandstand.

Racing starts at 10am.