Dropping back after being overtaken by the Yamahas, Brookes and Easton went on to dispute third, but the Australian would eventually snatch it for his third consecutive podium finish, form that sees him up to ninth in the standings now.

Away from the lead fight, the battle for fifth proved to be an intense one, with Ian Lowry holding the position for the majority of the race, only for him to come under intense pressure from the Kawasaki pair of Julien Da Costa and John Laverty during the closing stages.

Eventually it was Laverty who would emerge in front on the Buildbase machine to record his best ever finish at BSB level, while Da Costa won in a sprint across the line with Lowry to claim sixth.

After retiring from race one, Glen Richards battled to eighth from 13th on the grid, while Karl Harris and Jason O'Halloran rounded out the top ten. Simon Andrews, who had kicked off the weekend with the fastest time in opening two free practice sessions, was a disappointed 11th, followed by Graeme Gowland and Jon Kirkham.

Gary Mason returned to winning ways in the Mirror.co.uk Cup standings after retiring in race one, although he was left feeling rather dazed after running off the circuit on the final lap and smashing his helmet through the front screen of the Quay Garage Honda. Nonetheless, he held off Peter Hickman for Cup win number nine.