Henley Dragons secure Minor Cup success at London Regatta Centre

HENLEY Dragons fielded a strong but limited squad of 18 paddlers, drummer and helm as they started their British Dragonboat Association league events at Typhoon Dragon Boat Club at the London Regatta Centre on Sunday.

Henley competed in 200m and 500m races against teams from across the country in mixed and ladies events.

Henley smashed their first 200m heat in 52.88 seconds, with St Neots behind in a time of 56.70 and Windy Pandas in 57.27.

This put Henley past the reportage straight into the semi-inal. Following stronger teams into this round, Henley fought hard in the semi-final four boat race to finish second.

However, the BDA classed the open crews in the same competition as the mixed (50/50 men/women) races which pushed Henley from third position (excluding open) to fifth place.

Henley won the Minor Cup in a time of 53.08, closely followed by Notts Anaconda in 53.63, Soaring Dragons in 54.66 and St Neots in 55.17.

Henley ladies teamed up with Wraysbury Dragons to form a composite crew called Hensbury.

Having raced together previously, Hensbury stormed their first race in a time of 57.86, leaving Kingston Royals 58.48, Soaring Dragons 58.91 and St Neots 62.23 in their wake.

Lining up in the finals, Hensbury put in a good performance coming third in the major final but they were unable to hold off Kingston and Secklow 100. In the 500m race, Henley finished second in the heats, which saw them take place in the repechage which they won strongly.

In the cup semi-final, Henley came in behind Soaring Dragons, Typhoon and Thames. In the final Henley finished fifth in a time of two minutes, 20.53 seconds.