Zak Shepherd enjoyed his best performance in the Ultimate Pool arena, so far, as he won Week 20 of the 2022/23 Masters to qualify for the last 32 of the tournament.

Welsh captain Shepherd was involved in the evening’s first match at the Players Pool & Snooker Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme as he faced Scott Yardley.

An encounter with lots of quality, Shepherd registered two reverse clearances and two break clearances to defeat Yardley – who himself struck a reverse clearance and a break clearance – 8-4 and progress to the weekly final.

Next up was warm favourite for the week, duel major Ultimate Pool title holder, Stevie Dempsey.

Dempsey – winner of the Grand Slam and Champions League earlier this year – made the trip over from the Republic of Ireland, and despite a difficult start, put in a professional display to see off Connor Craig 6-3, featuring a reverse clearance. Playing in the arena for the first time, Craig gained experience and produced a classy break clearance in frame two to level the match.

A Wales v Republic of Ireland final, there were many moments of excellence between the competitors with several break and reverse clearances.

Dempsey led 1-0 and 3-2 early on, but Shepherd took control in the second half of the tie, claiming five of the next six frames for a 7-4 advantage.

With very little time remaining, Dempsey produced a memorable speedy break clearance to reduce his arrears to two, but when Shepherd potted a ball off his break in frame 13, a concession arrived.