ONE of the most exciting events of the Ultimate Pool season took place over the weekend, with Keighley duo Arfan Dad and Chris Melling a little unlucky to be selected so early.

Melling was in action in the 'Last Man Standing' tournament as early as the fourth game, and he started brightly with a 4-1 win over Eddie Barker.

He took on fellow Keighley ace Dad next, beating him 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.

Still undefeated, Melling took on Jack Whelan next, and that also went to a deciding frame.

Melling was looking good after knocking in a couple of balls with Whelan yet to make a pot.

But the Keighley man then missed a long red to the top right corner, and he was punished with a fine clearance to lose 4-3.

Whelan’s challenge ended later in the tournament at the hands of Aaron Davies, while the event was won by Josh Kane, who defeated Neil Raybone 3-2 in the final.

Whelan could have been facing Melling again on Ultimate Pool Champions League Finals Night, but he, Shaun Storry and Josh Juhasz were edged out by Carl Morris on Monday night in the fourth and final last-16 group.

Finals Night takes place next Monday, with Tom Cousins playing Declan Brennan in the first semi-final at 6:30pm and Melling facing Morris in the second one an hour later.

The winners of those two ties will go into the 8:30pm final, with the victor taking home the Champions League title.

Keighley ace Melling would be the first player to win the Champions League twice, having triumphed at the inaugural staging of the event back in 2021.

The first Monday of June sees the 2024 Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup get underway, with last year’s edition seeing Dad and regular playing partner Craig Waddingham narrowly miss out on making the semi-finals.