David Jefferies won the opening Superbike race in Saturday's North West 200 around the Portrush-Portstewart-Coleraine circuit.

Hot favourite Michael Rutter and his Ducati slipped off at the Metropole which allowed Yorkshireman Jefferies to take the honours on his Northern Ireland-based TAS Suzuki.

In very damp conditions, Jefferies went round the 11-mile circuit in an average speed of 105.695 mph.

The pace over the five laps was a far cry from practice times, but Jefferies made the right tyre choice in the unpredictable conditions.

Victory was relief for Jefferies who had encountered mechanical problems throughout practice earlier in the week.

Second place in the five-lap race was local rider Ryan Farquhar from Dungannon while Adrian McFarland was third.

Glasgow's Jim Moodie led in the first lap followed by Iain Duffus and Richard Britton.

But Moody and Duffus dropped out while Britton finished down in seventh place.

Result:
1 David Jefferies (1000 Suzuki) 105.695 mph.
2 Ryan Farquhar (1000 Yamaha) 104.478.
3 Adrian McFarland (1000 Suzuki) 104.395.
4 Alex Donaldson (1000 Suzuki) 104.641.
5 Gary Jess (1000 Yamaha) 105.019.
6 Brian Gardiner (1000 Yamaha) 105.238.