Smiths Triumph’s Billy McConnell snatched a tight Motorpoint British Supersport win from his team-mate, and title challenger Graeme Gowland on the final corner, on the last lap at Assen.

With that result the Aussie extends his lead in the championship by 12 points from his garage buddy, in what was an exciting race that went down to the wire. Techcare Racing’s Luke Mossey hung on to finish in third, as Gearlink Kawasaki's Glenn Irwin crashed out at the Geert Timmer chicane on the final rotation.

Anvil Hire Tag Racing’s Sam Hornsey started on pole, but was not able to get a clean getaway, and it was Irwin who ended up snatching the hole-shot. A crash involving three bikes, of Bouwmeester, Lodge and Hastings on the opening corner brought out the yellow, then red flags, as the riders were taken to the medical centre to be assessed.

At the restart it was Irwin who had the best start, but Tyco Suzuki’s Taylor Mackenzie did not, as he failed to complete a single lap due to a technical problem at the TT circuit. Meanwhile at the front of the pack Jones attacked Irwin and Gowland to storm to the front, and into the lead on only the second rotation. Mossey was also upping the pace and pipped the Geordie to take second just behind Jones.

Techcare’s Luke Mossey ploughed on ahead coming out of the Geert Timmer chicane to take the lead, and held on coming out of the first corner after getting the speed at the home straight, with eight laps remaining.

McConnell upped his game and was soon on the tail of Gowland and on lap six was up to fourth. But the number five machine was obviously feeling the heat of the Aussie and at De Bult snatched second from Jones.

On lap seven the battle for the win turned in to a fight between six bikes, but Jones ran wide leaving McConnell to get ever closer to the front. Gowland was not holding back and overtook Mossey going into Haarbocht to take the lead for the first time, at the three quarter mark.

But lap record holder Stapleford plunged his way into second going into the chicane with three laps remaining. The battle for third was hotting up between McConnell, Irwin and Mossey with the bikes touching, going into the penultimate lap. With McConnell and Mossey bumping into each other allowing Irwin to go through to third.

On the final lap the battle for the win intensified as Stapleford got back at Gowland on the opening corner, with the Smith Triumph backed bike of McConnell taking back third at Ossenbroken, and soon made a move on his colleague to go into second.

But all the action happened at the Geert Timmer chicane and a late braking manoeuvre meant that McConnell was able to go up the inside to overtake Gowland and Mossey to snatch the win.

Irwin lost control at the chicane and crashed out of fourth place, with Stapleford getting caught up in it, and crossed the line in fourth instead, with Jones and MarTrain Yamaha’s Alastair Seeley completing the top six. Ryde, Bos, Hornsey and Hedger rounded up the top ten, with Road and Racing Performance’s Sam Coventry taking the Evo class victory.

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