RONNIE Baxter endured his first scare of the week at the Lakeside last night, but survived to move within two games of being crowned Embassy Worlds Darts Champion.

After whitewashes in his opening two matches, Baxter was finally forced to concede his first set against Roland Scholten, but crept through 5-3 and into uncharted territory this afternoon. Baxter, who had never been passed the last eight in seven previous visits to Frimley Green, has at last made it to the semis and he goes toe-to-toe with Andy Fordham today for a place in tomorrow's final.

And the 37-year-old from Church, has few doubts that he will be back in Lancashire on Monday morning £42,000 richer and the new king of the Embassy.

"I have said all along that I'm here to win it because I believe that I am the best player in the world," said the number two seed.

"When I have been here in the past I have been scoring well but unable to finish. This year the doubles are going in as well as the big scores and that is a dangerous combination.

"And I also feel better for having been involved in a good scrap at last."

And what a scrap it was. He had been peerless against Richie Burnett and Kevin Painter but his unblemished record had gone within minutes of taking the stage against Scholten.

After losing the first set, though, Baxter reeled off nine of the next 11 legs in a true power show to go 3-1 up and the Dutch seventh seed looked to be on his way out.

But the next two sets were shared and then Scholten showed enormous courage to nail 97 and 71 finishes when Baxter was poised for the kill.

But having been forced into an eighth set, Baxter had no intention of going any further and a 122 checkout all but broke Scholten's resistence.

"I had a few lapses but got myself together for the big moments," said Baxter, who averaged a brilliant 31.27 per dart and had six maximum 180s.

Unseeded Fordham beat Colin Monk to set up the showdown with Baxter which was scheduled to be screened live on BBC's Grandstand at 2.45pm. The first semi final pitched champion Ray Barneveld, in ominously good form, against Bristol's Chris Mason.

"Andy, Ray, anyone. I don't care who I play. On this form I will beat them all," added Baxter.

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