Holt beats Delaney despite scare

Michael Holt defeated Joe Delaney 5-4 in the last 48 of the Welsh Open in Newport, however Delaney almost pulled off an amazing comeback after trailing the hitman by three frames with four to play.

Delaney (pictured) took the first frame but then Holt won four in succession to lead 4-1. Delaney then stunned Holt by winning the next three frames and then going 60 points clear of Holt in the decider. Holt looked dead and buried until he somehow managed to claw his way back into the frame. He then made a gritty 31 break to seal a dramatic win.

It was certainly nailbiting stuff for Holt and his legion of fans but he can now look forward to a last 32 clash with seven times world champion Stephen Hendry.