EMMA Earlam, who plays for Castle Private, successfully defended her Mid-Cheshire Ladies League Individual Merit title at Cuddington on Sunday.

She defeated clubmate Annie Jones in the final.

Another bowler from Castle, Helen Goadby, exited at the semi-finals stage along with Beech Tree’s Julie Green.

Meanwhile the league’s representative team, beaten by Wales in their county championship opener last month, return to action against Burton & District this weekend.

Rudheath Social Club hosts the home leg, which starts at 2pm.