DARRELL Higgins claimed a second-placed finish in the third round of the 250cc ACU National Championship held at Oulton Park last Saturday.

The Broughton Gifford rider was in the thick of the action throughout the weekend on his Dennis Trollope-backed TZ Yamaha.

During the morning’s free practice session, Higgins was outside the top ten but after qualifying was sixth-fastest.

When the eight-lap race got underway, Higgins did not make the best of starts and was outside the top ten.

Double and defending national 250cc champion Chris Martin crashed out in the early stages, with current championship leader Ant Hodson promoted up to first.

Behind, Higgins had worked his way up to second and started to give Hodson a hard time, with Dave Hampton lying in third.

On the penultimate lap, Higgins took the lead but Hodson retook him, with a determined Hampton trying everything just behind.

These three lapped as one on the final lap, with Hodson notching up the victory after Higgins and Hampton both nearly crashed in their dice for second, with the Broughton Gifford man eventually beating Hampton on the sprint to the line.

Chippenham’s Paul McCullaugh, finished 12th on his Yamaha.