DARCY Ward says he's aiming for a podium place after making it through to the World Under-21 finals at the weekend.The 17-year-old King's Lynn sensation took fifth place in the first semi-final at Miskolc in Hungary and heads to Croatia in September confident he can make an impact on the world stage.

DARCY Ward says he's aiming for a podium place after making it through to the World Under-21 finals at the weekend.

The 17-year-old King's Lynn sensation took fifth place in the first semi-final at Miskolc in Hungary and heads to Croatia in September confident he can make an impact on the world stage.

“I wouldn't have thought a few months ago when I first came over to England that I'd be where I am now,” said Ward. “I'm just rapped that I'm in the final.

“I know it's going to be hard but that's where I want to go, to the top. I'm aiming for the win, but a podium finish would be good.

“Basically, I'm just a 17-year-old kid having fun.”

Tai Woffinden won the event, with 14 points, with Denmark's Patrick Hougaard a point back, with Ward finishing third in a race-off for third place with Artem Laguta of Russia and Briton Lewis Bridger after all three had finished on 11 points.

Ward won his first heat, then finished behind Hougaard and Woffinden before victory in his third outing. He then followed Bridger home in the 15th race of the night before finishing with a second place behind Woffinden in the final scheduled race of the night.

“It was good,” Ward added. “The track was a bit rough but everyone adapted and it's just another place on the learning curve for me.”

Ward's King's Lynn team-mate Linus Eklof finished with seven points but failed to make it through after he was beaten in a run-off by Michael Mitko of Poland.

The second semi-final takes place at Kumla in Sweden next Saturday, with the final at Gorican in Croatia on September 6.