Ton-up Taylor is star attraction

England batsman Claire Taylor hit this season's first century © Getty Images

Claire Taylor lived up to her billing as the Vodafone women's player of the year as she hit a fine century during Sapphires' comprehensive 86-run win over Emeralds.

The star batsman cracked 100 from 110 balls, an innings which included eight boundaries, before being run out by Jasmine Titmuss as Sapphires were dismissed for 202.

Aussie Leah Poulton provided some valuable support - the pair put on 93 for the second wicket - but only one other batter made double figures as Sapphires failed to capitalise on Taylor's ton.

Jenny Gunn was the pick of the Emeralds bowling attack with 4-37 from her 10 overs while Nicky Shaw showed excellent discipline with the ball.

The Emeralds reply never got going as the Sapphires bowlers dominated.

With Sarah Taylor's half-century the one stand-out innings, Emeralds collapsed to 116 all-out to hand Sapphires their second successive win in the competition.

England bowler Katherine Brunt shone with the ball, taking 2-16 from her 10 overs, although Laura Spragg's 1-17 off nine overs was equally commendable. Rochelle Petty and Danielle Hazell both took two wickets each.

In the other Super 4s game, three batters hit half-centuries as Diamonds beat Rubies by 65 runs to register their first win of the season.

Sussex's Caroline Atkins' efforts with bat and ball could not prevent defeat for the Rubies team

Ebony Rainford-Brent, Lydia Greenway and Rosalie Birch posted 53, 71 and 52 respectively to push Diamonds to a formidable 263 for five.

Despite bat dominating ball, Caroline Atkins managed a degree of control to claim 1-26 from ten overs.

Atkins then fired 69 to complete an excellent all-round display but none of her team-mates could follow her lead with the bat despite many getting starts.

Natalie Lane made 39 before being caught by Greenway off Sarah Bartlett while another five batters all reached double figures as Emeralds reached 198 for eight from their 50 overs.

Lynsey Askew impressed with the ball, taking 1-13 off eight overs, while starlet Georgia Elwiss continued her form with the ball to finish with 2-31 from 10 overs.

Click here for this season's Super Fours scorecards (49 KB)

Click here for future Super 4s Fixtures 2008 (44 KB)