Plater was on top form throughout the weekend and his qualifying position of sixth did not reflect the effort put in by him and the AIM Yamaha support team.

A heavy shower delayed the start of the race and, with rain still falling, it was declared a wet race and the teams were given a short time to make a final tyre choice, with most opting for full wets. The race was reduced to 24 laps.

Plater got away to a good start and slotted into second place behind series leader Glen Richards. But wet weather specialist Hudson Kennaugh came past the pair to establish an unbeatable lead, leaving Plater and Richards to fight it out for second place.

Steve caught and passed Richards on lap nine and, despite a challenge from Ian Lowry mid-race, he rode through untroubled to take second place and his second podium finish in as many races.

He said: "I am happy enough with second. Kennaugh came past us on the exit to Edwina's chicane going very fast. I was not prepared to go that quick and risk a crash in the slippery conditions so I sat behind Glen before making my move."

Plater is now up to seventh in the rider standings on 45 points after just two races and at the midway stage of the championship.

But he will miss two of the remaining six rounds at Knockhill and Croft because of commitments in the World Endurance championship but he will contest the remaining four rounds, the next being at Oulton Park on July 20.