BOBBY George, the greatest showman to have set foot on the Lakeside stage, is convinced that Ronnie Baxter is just three matches away from his own place in darts folklore.

George, widely regarded as the best player never to have won the Embassy World Darts Championship, has seen the 22nd finals unfold from the sanctuary of the BBC commentary box, and he has come to the conclusion that no one can touch Baxter.

George, like millions watching on TV, has looked on in awe as Baxter powered his way past Richie Burnett and Kevin Painter without dropping a single set.

And he expects another emphatic display tonight when the second seed goes to the oche for his eagerly awaited quarter-final showdown with Dutch ace Roland Scholten.

"Ronnie is such a natural talent and throws so quickly, that if he is throwing well nobody can get anywhere near him," said 53-year-old George, twice a runner-up in a glittering career at Frimley Green.

"People have said of him before that he is a great player in normal competitions but cannot translate that to the big stage. But he has shown here that he can.

"With the talent he has Ronnie ought to have won this tournament before - but now's the time."

In seven previous visits to the Lakeside, the 37-year-old from Church has reached the quarter-finals just once, but older, wiser and better than in the past, Baxter has eyes only for Sunday's final, a cheque for £42,000 and the title of World Champion. "That's what its all about. That's why I'm here," he said.

"So far I have done exactly what I wanted to do. I have scored high and got the doubles quickly, which has let me down in the past.

"Now I have just got to get in the right frame of mind to take on Roland. I'll be practising on and off for most of the day, then a good solid half hour in the evening and then it's showtime."

While Baxter has made it all look so easy, seventh seed Scholten has had a far tougher time against Sheffield's John Walton and then his compatriot Co Stompe.

The bookmakers have no doubts that the Lancashire and England star will come through and if he does make it to the weekend's showpiece, the chances are he'll be up against formidable reigning champion Ray Barneveld whobooked his place in Saturday's semi-finals last night.

And Baxter won't be wanting for support with girlfriend Rachel and an entourage of highly vocal friends and family guaranteed to raise the roof if their man can land the winning double.

"The support I have had is fantastic and I just hope I can repay them. They're confident, and so am I."

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