RESERVE Jack Smith says his confidence is growing as Swindon Robins look to complete their Premiership Knockout Cup quarter-final at Rye House Rockets this evening.

After an impressive display at the Abbey Stadium on Monday, Swindon travel to Hertfordshire with a 28-point lead from their 59-31 victory.

The evening was also a positive one for Alun Rossiter’s latest recruit who chipped in with paid four haul at home, a vast improvement on his solitary point in last Thursday’s win over Wolverhampton.

The 21-year-old says he feels he will continue to get better with the amount of track time that he gets.

“I managed to score a few points on Monday. It was a better meeting than the one I had on the Thursday, I think I’m just getting better with the more track time,” he said.

“It’s difficult to adjust because its a completely new challenge. It’s a completely new track - they are all different shapes and they all ride differently so it takes a little while to settle in and get used to each different thing about them.

“I think I made a big improvement on Monday to what I did when I was out there on Thursday, I’m just trying to do my job.

“Last year I was with Belle Vue and the track there is completely different to the track in Swindon.

“They both ride different and I’d say the Abbey is a bit more technical than the Aces’ track because at Belle Vue, it’s just a flat open track.

“Obviously I’m used to what gearing and everything else to put on for the Belle Vue track but it is a different set-up in Swindon so it takes a while.

“I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it with a few more home meetings.”

The former Belle Vue man was drafted in by Rossiter to replace the injured Mitchell Davey.

With an average of 2.00 to play with, Smith says it must have been difficult for the Swindon chief to find a replacement in the circumstances but is aiming to repay the faith Rossiter has shown in him.

“It’s always encouraging when someone like Rossiter has faith in you,” he added.

“He’s a great team manager, he knows his speedway and he’s built a team with five good top riders.

“Because of that he knew he needed a number seven with an average of two.

“It was unfortunate what happened to Mitchell, but that meant he had to find another rider who had a two-point average so I’m happy to be that person and step in to that job for him.”

Despite a place in the semi-finals at stake and a 28-point advantage, Smith believes the pressure remains on the Robins as they are expected to complete the win this evening.

“We have a massive lead. I guess the pressure is on us really because they will go into the meeting tomorrow with nothing to lose,” added Smith

“We just need to go there this evening, try not to get any last places and the win will be ours.

“The track isn’t too bad. I went round it a few times when I was in the National League and scored a few points.

“Then last year I picked up some points when I was with Belle Vue so it is one that I do like going around so I’m looking forward to it.”

Australian Troy Batchelor echoed the views of his teammate claiming if the Robins fail to convert their advantage into a win, they don’t deserve to progress to the semi-final stages.

“Rye House didn’t turn up on Monday but you can only beat what is in front of you.

“If we throw a 28-point lead away then we won’t deserve to be in the next round, that’s for sure.

“Rye House will be better at home than they were at our place, but Poole are better at home too and we smashed them. We’ll turn up on the day and do what we do, be serious, and let Rosco show us the way.

“Our team is really good at the moment, and it’s going to be really good all year.”

Former Robin Emil Grondal has not seen his services renewed, with the Rockets yet to confirm their guest booking to cover the injured Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.

RYE HOUSE: Chris Harris, Aaron Summers, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Edward Kennett, Scott Nicholls, Guest TBC, Max Clegg.

SWINDON: Nick Morris, Adam Ellis, Troy Batchelor, David Bellego, Tobiasz Musielak, Zach Wajtknecht, Jack Smith.