Dan Eaton-Lees is the latest player through to the last 16 of the 2022 Vinny.co.uk Ultimate Pool Champions League after he won Group 5 in front of the live FreeSports cameras on Monday night.

Last season’s number two ranked Challenger Series player – therefore earning him promotion to this season’s professional ranks – finished above the decorated duo of Ronan McCarthy and Carl Morris, and well-respected qualifier Lee Washbrook.

Eaton Lees travelled to the Players Snooker and Pool Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme in fine form after a run to the quarter-finals of Professional Series Event Two at the weekend, and the Walsall-based cueist extended a pleasing few days for him on the baize.

After seeded player Morris defeated Washbrook 3-1 in the night’s opening tie, ‘DEL’ registered a golden break and a break clearance on his way to a 3-2 victory over McCarthy. Following that loss, McCarthy stayed out in the arena to defeat Washbrook 4-2 and keep his progression hopes afloat, whilst also extinguishing those of his opponent.

In unquestionably the match of the group, Eaton-Lees collected more maximum points with a memorable 4-2 win over Morris which included break clearances and golden breaks from either side, and a bizarre fluke for the victor in a crucial third frame which he reverse cleared.

Three players could still top the group going into the final round of fixtures, but Eaton-Lees was firmly in the driving seat with destiny in his own hands.

Despite being under par throughout the night, McCarthy came back from 0-2 down to oust Morris 3-2 and go joint top of the group with four points. However, only needing a point to advance, Eaton-Lees registered a break clearance on his way to defeating Washbrook 4-0 and finishing the evening with a 100% record. That wasn’t the only perfect record Eaton-Lees had – from his seven breaks across his three matches, he successfully potted off all of them.