GRIMSBY bowler Amy Monkhouse is in Cumbria today as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next month.

She will carry England's hopes in the women's pairs with her old friend Ellen Falkner against a North Region Select team.

"The clash is one of our last get-togethers before the real thing, so excitement is mounting in the camp," admitted the 31-year-old Tollbar BEC teacher.

The North team put together to test the 12-strong England side includes two Lincolnshire players – Ruth Cullum from Cleethorpes and Annalisa Bellamy – who will face Falkner and Monkhouse twice in the pairs today.

Monkhouse knows both well – and is particularly acquainted with Cullum, whom she taught at Tollbar. On Sunday they face Cumbria's Vicky Forster and Carole McLean, from Yorkshire.