Declan Brennan was back to somewhere near his best as he went undefeated to win Group 9 of the 2022 Vinny.co.uk Champions League and qualify for the last 16 of the event.

The number three ranked professional has been working hard on the practice table over the last couple of weeks and it showed, although he did have to survive a nervy ending to confirm top spot.

The night in Newcastle-under-Lyme began with recent Pro Series event finalist Neil Raybone registering a 4-1 win over qualifier Stephen Ellis. Brennan then started his campaign with a 3-2 victory over fellow professional Adam Bassoo.

Welshman Ellis – a former semi-professional snooker player who is now focusing on pool – then impressed with a 3-2 success over Bassoo to keep his hopes alive and eliminate his opponent’s at the same time.

Match Four was the pivotal meeting between the opening session’s winners and two of the best players in the world at this moment. Brennan sealed the first frame with a pressure double on the 8-ball but Raybone responded with an impressive break clearance to level. However, the Northern Irishman was not to be denied maximum points as he claimed the next three frames in a 4-1 triumph.

Going into the final round of matches, three players could still win the group. Raybone did his job, defeating Bassoo 4-0 in just over 11 minutes.

Brennan had destiny in his own hands, needing just a draw to progress, although an Ellis victory in the last tie of the night would have meant a dramatic three-way 6-red shootout.

It appeared as if former Pro Series event winner Brennan was on easy street as he punished a mistake from his opponent in the opener before break clearing to give himself a cushion at 2-0 up. However, it is never usually that comfortable on Ultimate Pool Monday nights as the plucky qualifier kept himself – and Raybone – in contention with a break clearance and then a reverse clearance to square up at 2-2.

Now under pressure to avoid defeat and the chaos of a 6-red shootout, Brennan managed to eat away at the clock in frame five and secure the point he required to advance to phase two of the live televised competition.