SWAN Honda’s James Ellison took the second win of the day at Brands Hatch following an incident-packed 30-lap race ahead of Tommy Hill, who now leads the British superbike championship after the opening round.

Ellison had got off to a flying start after moving up to the front row, leading the pack as they jostled for positions into Paddock Hill Bend ahead of pole-sitter Josh Brookes and Hill.

Race one victor Hill was immediately on the attack, passing the HM Plant Honda of Brookes into Surtees on the opening lap.

Ellison became under increasing pressure from Hill throughout the race, but despite some attempts to take the lead Hill was forced to settle for second, which puts him ahead in the title chase ahead of Thruxton.

There was drama throughout the field.

The first to suffer was Ryuichi Kiyonari who encountered an electrical problem on the fourth lap which forced him out of the race.

He was followed two laps later by Gary Mason who also suffered a technical problem, leaving him with no points for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team.

Tommy Bridewell was gunning for third place on the Quay Garage Honda.

He was moving up through the pack and was running fourth, but on lap ten he was forced wide by Michael Laverty and crashed out at Druids.

The next riders to lose out on points in race two were Chris Walker and Dan Linfoot who tangled at Graham Hill Bend on the ninth lap with both crashing out of contention.

At the front it was Ellison from Hill and Brookes who were inseparable, but just one lap after Bridewell crashed at Druids, Brookes crashed the HM Plant Honda out of contention.

Yukio Kagayama was another rider to crash out.

He fell at Clearways on the 11th lap to end his hopes of a strong result for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team.

Seeley had moved to third after Brookes’ crash, giving the rookie and the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team their first podium in the Superbike class ahead of team-mate Michael Laverty in fourth.

Easton and Michael Laverty had a race-long battle for fifth, but the Swan Honda rider was able to hold on to keep the Ducati rider behind him as they crossed the line with Buildbase Kawasaki's John Laverty in seventh.

Simon Andrews on the lone MSS Colchester Kawasaki was eighth ahead of Martin Jessopp and Jentin Racing BMW's Steve Brogan, who broke through to the top 10 on his debut in the BSB championship.

British superbike championship standings after Brands Hatch

1 - Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 45.

2 - James Ellison (Swan Honda) 41.

3 - Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 29.

4 - Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 21.

5 - Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 20.