KEIGHLEY potter Chris Melling showed why he was group favourite for Week 24 of the Ultimate Pool Masters, but he was made to work hard for his last-32 place.

The 43-year-old stormed into the group final last night after beating fellow professional Jez Graham 8-1, producing three break clearances and two reverse clearances in his emphatic victory.

He was joined in the showpiece by John Dunne, who got there after a brilliant comeback in his all-amateur clash with Ross Smith.

Dunne was 5-1 down and all but out, but stormed back to claim a sensational 6-5 victory.

And the underdog carried that momentum into the final, shocking Melling as he surged into a 2-0 lead.

The Keighley star hit back to go 4-2 in front, before Dunne pulled the score back to 4-4.

But Melling found a second wind, winning four of the last five frames to claim an 8-5 victory.

This Week 24 success puts Melling into a mouthwatering last-32 clash with top Welsh professional Jordan Shepherd in April.