Keighley battle sees Dad fend off Melling in Staffordshire

They secured their progression by winning their final game against Dad's fellow Keighley native Chris Melling and his team-mate Jordan Shepherd.

Melling and Shepherd were favourites to win the group, but had a disappointing night, winning just one of their three games.

Dad and Waddingham – who came joint fifth during the inaugural edition of the tournament – started the night as second favourites to win the group.

And they were impressive, winning all three of their matches and dropping just two frames in the process in front of the live television cameras.

They began with a straightforward 4-0 victory over Will Ludbrooke and James Parker and then later returned for a pivotal match, where they defeated Welsh internationals Elliot Combe and Tom Price 4-1.

Earlier in the evening, Combe and Price caused an upset as they ousted Melling and Shepherd 4-3 in a high-quality encounter that featured three break clearances and three reverse clearances.

Ultimate Pool major title winners as individuals, Melling and Shepherd subsequently bounced back, as they eliminated Ludbrooke and Parker by beating them 3-1.

Going into the final session at the Players Pool & Snooker Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme, three teams could still advance.

That was still the case heading into the final fixture, as Combe and Price kept their hopes alive with a 4-0 win over Ludbrooke and Parker to move on to four points.

A win for Melling and Shepherd in match six over Dad and Waddingham would have meant three teams tied on the same points, and only the second-ever three-way six-red shootout in Ultimate Pool pairs play.

However, Dad and Waddingham were in no mood for those dramatics, as they were cool and clinical during the crucial opening three frames in a 3-1 win.

It is the second year running they have come top of a phase one group in the competition.