Darts: Scholten books place in final

Roland Scholten overcame a rejuvenated John Lowe to book his place in the

final of the Paddy Power Grand Prix Championship in Dublin.

The Dutchman inflicted a comprehensive 7-1 defeat on Lowe, who could not

reproduce the heroics of his quarter-final win against Martin Adams.

Lowe started well and won the opening leg, but Scholten reeled off the next three legs in double quick time to take the first set.

He also raced into a 2-0 lead in the second set before Lowe hit back with a 116 checkout.

But the Chesterfield veteran was only averaging 75 and Scholten showed his

class to take the set with a 121 finish.

The crowd, who were clearly supporting Lowe at the start, went a little quiet as Scholten scored heavily to move 2-0 ahead in the third.

Lowe stopped the rot in the next leg and he levelled the score ith his second attempt at double 20.

But he fell behind in the deciding leg and Scholten finished with double 18 to move 3-0 ahead in sets.

Lowe lifted the packed audience with a maximum, but Scholten matched him

with his next three darts and he snatched the leg with double eight.

Scholten was a picture of concentration as he went on to take the set 3-0 and he also moved 2-1 ahead in the fifth.

Lowe gave his fans something to cheer about in the seventh set with a 3-0

success, but Scholten hit back and clinched his place in the final when winning the eighth 3-1.

A deflated Lowe said: "I just left it too late, got too far behind and couldn't catch up. He blitzed me really.''