Irwin takes second at Oulton as Swann wins again

Glenn Irwin is chasing a maiden British Superbike title

Glenn Irwin finished second in the first British Superbike race of the weekend at Oulton Park on Saturday as Kyle Ryde took victory in the 18-lapper to move to the top of the championship standings.

PBM Ducati-mounted Irwin, from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, enjoyed a spell at the front but was ultimately overhauled by the Yamaha rider, who took victory by 0.3 seconds, with Lee Jackson making up the podium places.

Defending champion Tommy Bridewell crashed on lap one and drops to second in the series standings [204 points], six points behind Ryde [300], ahead of Sunday's two races at the Cheshire circuit.

Irwin, runner-up in the championship last year, sits third on 256 points.

Josh Brookes, Ryan Vickers and Leon Haslam made up the top six in Saturday's race.

Meanwhile, east Antrim rider Scott Swann secured his fifth race win of the season on a Honda by taking victory from Luke Mossey and Davey Todd in the National Superstock class.

Todd leads the standings on 241 points, followed by Talbot on 238 and Swann with 180.

Dubliner Jack Kennedy was the winner of the Supersport race for Honda Racing to move to the top of the standings.