By Gareth James

Joel Makin came through a tough opening match of the Black Ball Open in Cairo as he was taken to five games.

Wales’s world No 9 was pushed all the way in a 75 minute second round battle by England’s world No 52 Patrick Rooney.

Makin, whose last appearance was the quarter-finals of the Black Ball event in Cairo last December, lost the opening game 10-12.

The Haverfordwest-born ace, seeded eight for the $175,000 tournament, then reeled off back-to-back games 11-2, 11-8.

But his St Helens-born rival responded by taking the fourth 11-9 before Makin won the decider 11-8.

Makin, who had a first round bye, will face Egypt’s world No 14 Mazen Hesham in the third round.