ST NEOTS bowler Ellen Falkner struck gold at the Commonwealth Games on Monday night in the Ladies Pairs.

ST NEOTS bowler Ellen Falkner struck gold at the Commonwealth Games on Monday night in the Ladies Pairs.

Falkner and partner Amy Monkhouse held their nerve in a tense tie-break to see off the challenge of Malaysia’s Nor Ismail and Zuraini Khalid.

In a tension-filled day they had dispatched the Australian duo in a heart-stopping semi-final, drawing 10-10 in the first leg and taking the decider 8-7.

Falkner, who also plays for City of Ely, and Monkhouse have been close friends for nearly 15 years and both were elated by their success.

Falkner said: “To win a gold medal is one thing, but to win it with your best friend is just out of this world.

“Two years of hard work has come to fruition and we’re absolutely delighted.”

Monkhouse added: “I am over the moon too. It’s hard to explain.

“Perhaps it was destiny after just pipping it in our quarter-final and then playing that huge match against Australia.”