One run is the margin in reserve-grade cricket

RUN out from direct hit proves the difference in reserve-grade cricket preliminary final.

Caleb King bowls in the reserve-grade preliminary final at Mayhew Oval. James Kurtz, who made 26, in backing up at the bowler's end. Picture: Gerard Walsh

CRICKET: A direct hit by Joe Wagner has secured a thrilling reserve-grade preliminary final win for Sovereign Animals at Mayhew Oval.

Sovereign batted first and scored 178 and Redbacks were 9-177 when they took a single.

Wagner was quick to the ball at mid on and threw down the stumps to run out Shawn Brown and secured a one-run win.

"It was nerve wracking in the last over but we were pumped at the end to win,” Sovereign top scorer Cahal Davis said.

Mitch Hay bowled the last over for Sovereign with six needed to win.

Cahal Davis top scored with 44 in the Sovereign Animals 178 and was well supported by Mitch Hay with 26 and Rob Wagner 18.

Dave Drewery was the best of the Redbacks bowlers with 4-18, Morgan Gilchrist took 2-21 and Brown 2-24.

Mark Mills top scored with 31 for Redbacks, Tyhe Clarkson made 27, James Kurtz 26 and Andrew McConnell 23.

Captain Luke Cullen bowled first change for the Animals and took 4-31 off eight overs to be the most successful bowler for the winners.