THE rain held off long enough for World No 2 Salah Hassan to lift the Yorkshire International Open Croquet Championship trophy and a cash prize of £350 at the Ripon Spa Hotel.

Hassan, from Egypt, beat the World

Champion Khaled Younis 2-0.

But his route to taking the title was not straightforward as local player, Samantha Curry, put up a formidable fight and actually beat him in the first

round, 7-5.

The doubles winners were Jane Pringle, from the north east and Carol von Schmeider, from Ireland.

Updated: 10:57 Saturday, September 14, 2002