Scotland were made to sweat by a determined Northern Ireland outfit before booking their place in the final of the Nations Cup at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle last night.
The World Cup winners registered their third group match win in as many attempts when they finished strongly to beat Northern Ireland, who were therefore eliminated, 7-4.
Scotland will now meet England or Wales, who meet today for £17,500 per man in prize money and the right to be described as the best of the home countries.
Earlier yesterday England beat the Republic of Ireland 92 with Ronnie O'Sullivan doing most of the damage.
England raced into a 4-0 lead after only 47 minutes. John Parrott, the England skipper, contributed to the fast start with an 88 break, Jimmy White edged out Doherty on the brown and O'Sullivan, clearly in excellent form, then constructed 92 during a doubles win alongside White.
Heavy punishment for the Irish continued to 6-0 and at that stage an 11-0 whitewash was not out of the question but Michael Judge, the Republic's hero when they pipped Northern Ireland 6-5 on the black two days ago, prevented that.
Alan McManus put together an early 80 break and Scottish captain John Higgins was responsible for runs of 40 and 51 but the title favourites appeared somewhat vulnerable at 3-3.
