NEIL Hodgson kept up the chase for the British Superbike title with a fourth and fifth place at Oulton Park's 'double header' meeting.

The Burnley racer, winner of the opening round at Brands Hatch, had to settle for a points finish after being eclipsed by his INS Ducati team-mate Troy Bayliss, who scored two brilliant back-to-back victories. Hodgson has returned to the UK after six years on the World Championship trail, and although Oulton Park is his local circuit, he hadn't raced there since 1992 when he was competing in the British 125cc Championship.

"I was really looking forward to getting out there again after a frustrating weekend at Thruxton," said Hodgson.

"My crash in the first race there was a bit of a mystery and I couldn't get into the second race at all - maybe I was in the early stages of the cold that hit me shortly after."

Final qualifying saw Hodgson down in seventh place on the grid, behind poleman Bayliss, and Reve Red Bull Ducati rivals John Reynolds and Sean Emmett. An incident packed 15-lap race sidelined Reynolds (transmission failure) and James Haydon (accident), and promoted Hodgson to fourth after Kawasaki rider Steve Hislop dropped back to seventh.

Race two was a lonely one for Hodgson, who couldn't be caught by sixth-placed Niall Mackenzie on the Virgin Yamaha, but was unable to close the nine-second gap on Kawasaki rider Chris Walker in fourth.

With nine meetings and 18 rounds to go, Hodgson is still well-placed for the championship, just 37 points separate him and current leader Troy Bayliss.

Next round: Snetterton, May 9.

Championship table: 1: Troy Bayliss (INS Ducati) 113pts; 2: Chris Walker (Team Kawasaki) 105; 3: James Haydon (Crescent Suzuki) 101; 4: Neil Hodgson (INS Ducati) 76; 5: Steve Hislop (Team Kawasaki) 59; 6: John Reynolds (Reve Red Bull Ducati) 56.

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