YORK'S new star bowls recruit, Amy G Monkhouse was foiled by legendary skip Jayne Roylance after a tremendous fightback in the first England International trial at Erewash, Long Eaton, Notts.

The former Amy Gowshall, prior to her marriage to Richard Monkhouse in August teamed up with Norwich's Lynne Whitehead to collect Commonwealth Games pairs bronze medals in Manchester earlier in the summer.

Now Amy Monkhouse has moved from her native Grimsby to join the York and District indoor club at Dringhouses.

Monkhouse, who was a prolific England Under-25s international before making her senior debut in 2001, operated at number three to Torquay's Cheryl Northall in the trial, but they were soon in trouble as Roylance powered 10-3 ahead over the first eight ends.

Four shots in three ends saw Monkhouse cut the gap to 10-7, but a double and two singles by Roylance left Monkhouse facing a 14-7 deficit with six ends to play.

Monkhouse clawed her way back, pounding her more experienced rival with a fabulous five, a single and a double over the next four ends to draw level at 15-15.

Roylance hung on grimly, however, slotting home two singles on the run-in to win the battle 17-15.

Monkhouse's fightback helped her team, the Reds edge out the Yellows 113-112 in the first of three trials as the England selectors ponder over their team for the Home International Series in Belfast next March.

Bowls reports - Page 22

Updated: 12:30 Thursday, November 14, 2002