ALUN Rossiter is backing James Wright to hit the June jackpot and become the Elite League's latest vintage' reserve.

Wright blitzed his way to 11 points in his first outing outside the main body of the team at Wolverhampton on Monday.

And Rossiter believes the Stockport man can fill his boots' in his new role, on a par with other free-scoring reserves around the league.

Poole, through Adam Skornicki, and Ipswich, via Piotr Swiderski, have benefitted in that way in recent weeks and Rossiter sees no reason why a rejuvenated Wright cannot do the same.

Rossiter said: "This is a big month coming up for James.

"He has got a big chance to really earn some money by scoring big points. We have a lot of meetings coming up in the next few weeks.

"Monday was the best performance we have seen from him and I think he has had a real lift from his great finish in the British Final.

"He is maturing as a rider and was a real trump card for us at reserve.

"He knows he could really help us out with his performances.'' Meanwhile, Troy Batchelor can stay close to his summer home as he bids for a place in the world under 21 final later this month.

The Robins' ace, who sailed through the qualifying round with a 15-point maximum in Gustrow, Germany, last weekend, has been drawn in the Great Britain-based semi-final.

Batchelor will contest the meeting at Rye House's Hoddesdon circuit with 15 other riders, including Robins' Danish asset Morten Risager and young British hopefuls Tai Woffinden - on his home track - and William Lawson.

The other semi-final takes place in Gorican, Croatia, on July 15.

World Under 21 semi-final LINE-UP
Rye House (June 15): 1 Linus Eklof (Sweden), 2 Max Dilger (Germany), 3 Filip Sitera (Czech Republic), 4 Robert Kasprzak (Poland), 5 Kim Nilsson (Sweden), 6 William Lawson (GB), 7 Matej Kus (Czech Republic), 8 Tobias Busch (Germany), 9 Ricky Wells (USA), 10 Mateusz Szczepaniak (Poland), 11 Simon Gustafsson (Sweden), 12 Tai Woffinden (GB), 13 Troy Batchelor (Australia), 14 Grzegorz Zengota (Poland), 15 Morten Risager (Denmark), 16 Maksims Bogdanovs (Latvia). Reserves: Josh Auty (GB), Leon Madsen (Denmark).

  • FORMER Swindon Robins Sebastian Ulamek, Lee Richardson and Olly Allen are in the field for the third Grand Prix qualifying round at Czestochowa, Poland, also on June 15.