Payne was in punishing form on Hagley Oval on Saturday as St Albans Blue chased South Canterbury's 154. Coming to the crease after her side had lost an early wicket, Payne added 87 for the second wicket with Carrie Murdoch.

She posted her century off 118 balls, St Albans reaching the target with three down.

Earlier, when South Canterbury had been dismissed for 154, 15-year old medium-pacer Beth McNeil captured a five-wicket bag.

At Warren Park, competition leader Lancaster Park-Woolston lost to Marist. Marist's spinners Catherine Campbell and Erin Kelly restricted Lancaster Park to 129 after the combined side's openers Debbie Hockley and Paula Flannery made a sound start with 59 for the first wicket.

Park was well placed at 103 for three but the spinners quickly wrapped up the innings, Kelly claiming four wickets.

Campbell played a major role with the bat in reply putting on 33 for the first wicket with Delwyn Brownlee and 46 for the third wicket with Andrea Heal. She scored 41 as Marist posted 130 for six.

A well-compiled half century from Sally Frahm and valuable runs from the lower order enabled St Albans Gold to reach 178 against East Christchurch-Shirley at Burwood Park.

Despite 65 from Jess Little and Anna Wilkins for the third wicket, East fell short by losing wickets at vital times.

Short scoreboards:

Lancaster Park-Woolston 129 (D Hockley 41, J Strachan 27; E Kelly 4-22, V Lord 2-22, C Campbell 2-14) lost to
Marist 130-6 (C Campbell 41; V Hensley 2-25).

South Canterbury 154 (S Charteris 22, M Fahey 21; N Payne 3-23, B McNeil 5-24) lost to
St Albans Blue 155-3 (N Payne 102no).

St Albans Gold 178 (S Frahm 58; K Pulford 4-33, T Little 2-19) beat
East-Shirley 141 (A Wilkins 39, K Pulford 20; H Rae 2-20, S Lloyd 2-10, J Geary 21-10, J Lawler 2-23, K Craig 2-25).

Points:

Lancaster Park-Woolston 6, South Canterbury 5, Marist 5, St Albans Blue 4, East-Shirley 2, St Albans Gold 2.