Jaden Billingham, Beckie Watkins, Justin Astley and Amy Beauchamp all lifted Ultimate Pool Pro Series titles during a thrilling weekend of action at Loughborough University.

The third weekend of the 2026 Ultimate Pool Series season delivered four exciting tournaments, dramatic finals and some outstanding performances, with four champions crowned across the Men’s and Women’s Pro Series.

Jaden Billingham and Beckie Watkins claimed the first two titles of the weekend on Saturday, before Justin Astley and Amy Beauchamp completed the quartet of winners on Sunday.

Jaden Billingham Continues Incredible Rise

Jaden ‘The Jewel’ Billingham continued his remarkable rise through the sport by claiming the Ultimate Pool Pro Series Event 5 title, defeating Neil Raybone 8–5 in the final.

At just 19 years old, Billingham has already established himself as one of the leading players on the Ultimate Pool circuit, and the victory marked his third Pro Series title in his young professional career.

Billingham produced an impressive run to the final, recording victories over James Nesbitt and Josh Kane before overcoming UP No.2 Declan Brennan in a high-profile quarter-final.

He then defeated Stevie Dempsey in a nervy semi-final to book his place in the showpiece.

The final saw Billingham make a flying start, racing into a 4–0 lead. Raybone refused to surrender, however, fighting back from 7–2 down to close the gap to 7–5.

Billingham kept his composure when it mattered most, taking his opportunity to seal an 8–5 victory and another major title.

The result moves The Jewel up to fourth in the Pro Series rankings, although the teenager remains focused on taking his progress one step at a time.

“Number one would be nice but I’m just taking it step by step, I’ve got time.”

Billingham only joined the Pro Series at the beginning of 2025, meaning his continued rise could make the two-year ranking list particularly interesting as the season develops.

Beckie Watkins Ends Final Drought

Beckie ‘Bexstar’ Watkins finally returned to the top step of the podium with a 5–3 victory over Adrienne Flitcroft-Hurst in the Women’s Pro Series Event 5 final.

The victory ended a run of three consecutive final defeats for Watkins this season and marked her third ranking title.

Watkins navigated a challenging route to the final, defeating Sophie Gibbs-Nicholls, Savannah Lowe and Danielle Randle along the way.

Waiting for her in the final was maiden finalist Adrienne Flitcroft-Hurst, who had enjoyed an outstanding tournament of her own.

Flitcroft-Hurst defeated two previous Women’s Pro Series champions, Amy Beauchamp and Emma Parker, during her run to the showpiece.

Despite the challenge, Watkins held her nerve to secure a 5–3 victory and reclaim the title.

Speaking after the match, Watkins admitted the result meant a great deal after her recent run of near misses.

“After the first tour this season when I lost to Vicki in the final I just felt like it wasn’t going to come again. I’ve got to two finals after that and lost… and I just said ‘come on’ – and I’m really, really buzzing to take the win today.”

The victory also keeps Watkins firmly at the top of the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series rankings.

Justin Astley Produces Breakthrough Performance

One of the biggest stories of the weekend came from Justin Astley, who produced a sensational run to claim his first Ultimate Pool Pro Series title.

The former professional snooker player defeated Declan Brennan 8–7 in a sudden-death frame in an absorbing final.

The achievement is particularly impressive given Astley had never previously progressed beyond the Round of 32 in a Pro Series event.

This time, however, he put together a remarkable run that saw him defeat five previous Ultimate Pool champions on his way to the trophy.

Astley’s victory comes in his first year as a UP Pro, having received a wildcard for the 2026 season.

His breakthrough title comes just eight months after making the move into the Ultimate Pool Pro Series.

Declan Brennan also enjoyed an exceptional weekend, defeating Stevie Dempsey, Chris Melling and Shaun Chipperfield in succession on Sunday to reach the final.

Although Brennan fell just short of the title, he did leave Loughborough with a significant achievement, moving to No.1 in the Pro Series rankings.

For Astley, finally getting over the line was a hugely emotional moment.

“I’m so over the moon to get over the line, it was a stressful game. I’ve not done it the easy way.”

Reflecting on his season so far, Astley admitted he had been frustrated despite feeling that his game had been strong.

“I feel like I’ve been playing well but just having one mistake here and there that’s cost me, but this weekend I felt like I took nearly all my chances.”

And after finally securing his maiden Pro Series title, there was no hiding his delight:

“It means a lot, it’s about time I won something!”

Amy Beauchamp Delivers on Home Soil

Amy Beauchamp completed the weekend’s list of champions by claiming the Women’s Pro Series Event 6 title, defeating Collette Henriksen 5–3 in the final.

The victory was particularly special for Beauchamp after she had finished runner-up in both finals during the previous weekend in Bolton.

Having recently moved to Loughborough, Beauchamp was delighted to produce a winning performance on home soil.

Her route to the final included victories over Amy Price, Savannah Lowe, Kerry Griffiths and Casey Ranford-Norrey.

Henriksen also produced an impressive run to the showpiece, responding strongly after her last-16 exit in Series 5.

She defeated Anaïs Dehan, Danielle Randle and Lyndsey Scholz to earn her place in the final.

However, Beauchamp held her nerve to secure a 5–3 victory and add another major title to her collection.

“It’s nice to win and I felt a lot more myself out here this time which is a positive thing for me.”

Beauchamp also made her priorities clear when discussing her approach to the season.

“My focus is always on winning tournaments because if you do that then rankings take care of themselves.”

The new champion was also full of praise for the Loughborough venue, adding:

“The venue I think is brilliant and I wish every event was here.”

Four Champions, One Memorable Weekend

The third Ultimate Pool Series weekend of 2026 provided plenty of talking points, from Billingham’s continued emergence as one of the sport’s brightest young stars to Watkins returning to winning ways, Astley’s breakthrough Pro Series triumph and Beauchamp’s home-soil success.

With the season continuing to develop, all four champions will now look to build on their Loughborough performances as the battle for ranking positions and further titles intensifies.

Congratulations to Jaden Billingham, Beckie Watkins, Justin Astley and Amy Beauchamp on their victories.

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