A century partnership - the first of the series - between captain Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton took Australia women to an 18-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth match of the Rose Bowl series.

The Southern Stars made 218 for five - the highest total of the series so far - having opted to bat first.

Victory gave them an unassailable 4-1 lead over the World Cup champions with one game to play.

Clark and deputy Rolton, who came together with the score 11 for 1, put on 117 for the second wicket in 27 overs before the skipper was caught behind for 44 off the bowling of Rachel Pullar.

Rolton had reached 90 from 100 deliveries (13 fours) and seemed set for her fourth one-day century when she was run out in the 41st over after a badly-judged single call.

Michelle Goszko then led the tourists in putting on 64 runs in the last ten overs, with an innings of 48 from 51 balls.

New Zealand struggled for early runs in reply, and only a 51-run partnership between Kathryn Ramel and Haidee Tiffen looked like keeping Kiwi hopes alive of tying the series.

Braces for bowlers

But Ramel's dismissal for 20, caught off the bowling of Clea Smith, dashed those hopes and, despite an outstanding innings of 69 from Tiffen, it was too late to snath victory.

Twelve runs in the final over made the margin of defeat flattering to the hosts.