While its British Superbike season may not have gone entirely to plan, HM Plant Honda were still able to celebrate picking up some silverware in 2009 after Steve Plater secured the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport title.

Having entered the final round of the season with an 11 point advantage over arch rival Billy McConnell, Plater needed to finish in sight of the Australian to take the series.

As it happens, Plater would go beyond just finishing inside the points, scoring a fourth victory of the season after reeling in McConnell's early sizeable lead to pass him with five laps of the race remaining.

Holding off Triumph's James Westmoreland for the win, while McConnell would go on to retire, Plater was delighted to end a marvellous season in the best way possible.

"I really wanted to win the race, as well as to win the championship,” he said.”It's ok to finish in the points or on the podium but it's not really my way. There is nothing better than to stand on the top step and obviously Billy had three wins, I had three wins and Westy had two so if Westy won it would have given us three wins apiece.

“As it is now I have had more podiums than anyone else, more wins and now the championship so that's nice. It's mega to put the championship to bed here at Oulton Park and it's a big relief as much as anything else as for the last four or five rounds it's been a closely fought thing.

“It's also mega for HM Plant Honda and all my family, fans and all the people who have been ringing and texting me this last few weeks, who I'd like to thank for their continued support."