Their outstanding partnership came as East-Shirley was reeling at 35 for six at Burwood Park, but the experienced Watson and 16-year-old Little advanced the score to 130 before Mel Portis bowled Little for 26. Captain Watson continued on and steered her side to victory in the 49th over. She was unbeaten on 56 and Portis finished with three for 19.

Marist batted first and started steadily, Catherine Campbell and Delwyn Brownlee scoring 33 for the first wicket. Campbell anchored the innings with a solid half-century and helped her team to compile 147 for seven off its 50 overs.

Jane Maley and Portis scythed through the East-Shirley top order before Watson and Little were associated in their match-winning partnership.

St Albans Gold and Lancaster Park-Woolston beat St Albans Blue and South Canterbury, respectively, in the other senior games. Park now has a three-point lead in the competition, with only one point separating the other five teams.

In the top-of-the-table match at Garrick Park, South Canterbury was unable to build partnerships, the best being 30 for the last wicket between Megan Samuels and Amelia Zandbergen.

Park had no trouble getting 106 runs, losing just one wicket. Paula Flannery, who made an impressive unbeaten half-century, put on 39 with Debbie Hockley for the first wicket and Flannery and Lisa Astle scored 72 for the second wicket.

Scores:

South Canterbury 105 (K Rathun 2-13, V Hensley 2-24, L Astle 3-10) lost to Lancaster Park-Woolston 111-1 (D Hockley 22, P Flannery 59no, L Astle 22no).

St Albans Blue 108 (N Payne 31; S Lloyd 2-23, M Moffat 4-30, J Geary 2-8) lost to St Albans Gold 110-6 (M Koster 45; A Marsh 3-33). Umpires: K Reid and A Barclay.

Marist 147-7 (C Campbell 50; M Scotson 2-24) lost to East-Shirley 148-8 (H Watson 56no, T Little 26; M Portis 3-19, J Maley 2-32). Umpire: L Elliott.

Points:

Lancaster Park-Woolston 8, South Canterbury, Marist 5, East-Shirley, St Albans Blue, St Albans Gold 4.