British Superbikes: Glenn Irwin and Michael Laverty claim opening points

Glenn Irwin finished 12th in the 2016 British Superbike Championship

Glenn Irwin got a podium finish in race two as he and Michael Laverty scored points in the opening round of the British Superbike season at Donington.

Carrickfergus rider Irwin, 27, who was was sixth in race one, overtook Christian Iddon on the last lap of race two to grab third.

Leon Haslam was victorious in race one ahead of Luke Mossey and Iddon.

Haslam won again in race two, finishing ahead of Josh Brookes and Irwin while Laverty retired from the race.

Laverty was running just off the podium in race one but was shuffled down the order before being passed by Irwin for seventh in the closing laps.

Irwin picked up another spot on the final lap of the race, overtaking Australian rider Brookes to finish sixth.

Laverty suffered mechanical issues in race two, retiring on lap three when in third place.

Irwin came home in the final podium spot after a late charge from sixth place, overtaking James Ellison, Mossey and Iddon in the last two laps as he scored Be Wiser Ducati's only points of the weekend as team mate Shane Byrne was ruled out after crashing in the morning warm-up.

Michael Dunlop made his debut on the Suzuki that he will ride in the upcoming road racing season, taking the chequered flag in 16th and 17th.

There was success for Northern Irish riders in the Supersport race, as North West 200 record holder Alistair Seeley and Andrew Irwin from Carrickfergus finished second and third, with David Allingham fifth.