Michael Laverty and Tommy Hill battling it out at Brands Hatch in round one of the championships

Tommy Hill puts points on the board with two second place finishes at Thruxton in the British Superbike Championships.

Tommy Hill put his Brands Hatch disappointment behind him with two podium finishes at the second round of the British Superbike Championships at Thruxton.

The Beckenham born 25-year-old finished second in both the races at the Hampshire circuit at the weekend, which leaves him fourth in the overall Championships standings.

Padgetts Honda rider Ian Lowry had a maiden victory in the opening race, and finished fifth in the second which puts him top of the title standings.

The Ulsterman had been on the pace throughout the weekend and he harassed reigning champion Hill for much of the first race and as the Swan Yamaha rider struggled for pace in the closing stages, Lowry timed his move at Campbell to perfection.

Shane Byrne managed fourth in race one, and third in race two leaving him fifth in the standings.

“That was an absolutely fantastic result for me and the team,” said Lowry. “It worked out so well. I was able to sit there, watch Tommy setting the pace and then when he started to struggle a bit with five laps to go I knew where to make the move on him.

“I had the grip and was able to take him and pull away – it was just awesome coming round and seeing that I had a lead of one second.”

Aussie Josh Brookes snatched the victory for Tyco Suzuki in race two with a dramatic last lap move to deny Hill, who had to settle for second best again just ahead of the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki duo of former two times title winner Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton.

The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship takes place at Oulton Park from May 5-7.