A TEAM of rowing heroes from Roberts Bakery rose to the occasion when they paddled to victory in the weekend’s Dragon Boat Challenge.

The team of 10 – aptly named ‘The Kneading Dragons’ – was one of three teams entered by the Rudheath-based bakery into the boat race, which was part of the Northwich River Festival.

The Kneading Dragons qualified in the race heats to take one of three places in the final and the crew managed to shave two seconds off their fastest time to win the race in 107.3 seconds.

The efforts of all three Roberts Bakery teams have helped the family bakery to raise more than £1650 for nominated charity St Luke’s Hospice.

Ian Flood, customer delivery supervisor at Roberts Bakery, has worked for the company for 15 years and was the winning team’s captain.

He said: “It was a fantastic day for the people of Northwich. There was a great deal of fun but it was also pretty competitive on the river.

“We made some good times in the heats but we were convinced we could better our time in the final.

“In a fiercely fought final race to the finish line, we were very proud to take first place with a terrific winning time.”

Gravy Boaters came second in the grand final of the race, with Rotary Water Cogs taking third place.

Pars Bank Paddlers won the major peer group race, with Northwich BID coming second. Dragon Law were victorious in the minor peer group race and Flour Power came second.

Turn to pages 16 and 17 for more on the Northwich River Festival