Plater extends lead with victory

Plater's victory at Croft was his third of the season

Lincolnshire's Steve Plater extended his British Supersport Championship lead to seven points with a hard-fought win in round 10 at Croft on Sunday.

Starting from the third row, HM Plant Honda rider Plater eventually hit the front on the penultimate lap.

His arch-rival Billy McConnell was second with Boston's Ben Wilson third.

Plater said: "Croft's a place where you have to plan your moves four corners beforehand. I had to put the passes in where I knew I could make them count."

Wilson's fourth podium of the season for Gearlink Kawasaki moves him to within five points of third-placed James Westmoreland in the standings.

Lincoln's Sam Lowes crossed the line in 14th but was excluded after his Co-Ordit Honda failed a post-race scrutineering check, elevating fellow Lincoln rider Lee Jackson to 14th on the Astro Honda.

In Superbikes, Josh Brookes marked his return to the HM Plant Honda team after a two-round ban with a brace of third places.

Team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, making a one-off appearance for the team with which he won two BSB titles, was fourth in the opening race but finished outside the points in race two after problems with his machine set-up.

Alford's Peter Hickman finished 11th and 15th on the Ultimate Racing Yamaha but saw his chances of winning the Superbike Cup finally end as Gary Mason wrapped up that title.

Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton claimed his maiden BSB victory in race one, with race two going to series leader Leon Camier on the Airwaves Yamaha, a win which also guaranteed the manufacturers' championship for the team.