BIRTHDAY boy Troy Batchelor has stressed he will treat Pirates' crucial home clash against Swindon "just like any other meeting".

The Queenslander, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, broke his collarbone in a bad spill during Poole's previous contest against the Robins at Wimborne Road this year.

Batchelor fell heavily on his own while leading heat four and sustained the injury on June 11, which sidelined him for five weeks.

Pirates had been leading 13-5 at the time but Swindon, taking full advantage of the Australian's absence, fought back to force a 45-45 draw.

It is the only point the Dorset club have dropped in 16 home meetings this term, so they are out to make amends against the league leaders.

Poole's fans, and management, will feel they have a point to prove against the Robins.

But Batchelor insists he has wiped away the bad memory of his ugly accident, which occurred as he came off the second bend when he smashed into the safety fence.

Asked if it would mean more to him to help Pirates beat Swindon this time because of what happened then, he said: "I'll be treating it the same as any other match. It's all the same to me.

"There is no extra incentive to try to beat them. I'll not be worrying about that because every meeting has the same importance as the next one.

"It is just another match really for us."

Batchelor added: "I've been able to put the crash to the back of my mind. You can see that from my results since I returned.

"I came straight back and got on with it. That is what you have to do."

Despite his no-nonsense approach, Batchelor is still aware that Swindon's scalp will be a big one to take, particularly as Pirates have also lost twice at Blunsdon this term, 46-44 and 47-46.

He said: "I think we can win as long as everyone in our team can ride to their best.

"This one will be special. It should have been on TV.

"If you look at Swindon's averages, the top five are all seven plus, and their reserves are pretty good as well. But we feel we can give them a run for their money."

Pirates: 1 B Pedersen, 2 T Batchelor, 3 J Crump, 4 C Boyce, 5 E Kennett, 6 J Doyle, 7 S Boxall.

Swindon: 1 L Adams, 2 C Gathercole, 3 L Richardson, 4 T Chrzanowski, 5 S Ulamek, 6 A Moore, 7 M Korneliussen.