SOUTHERN Brave booked their spot in the men's Hundred Eliminator and ended Oval Invincibles' hopes of progressing with a comfortable six-wicket victory in the winner-takes-all clash at the Ageas Bowl.

Chasing down a target of 135, the Brave ensured their involvement at the Kia Oval on Friday with five balls to spare despite losing key men Quinton de Kock, James Vince and Paul Stirling cheaply thanks to an unbeaten stand of 67 between Colin de Grandhomme and Alex Davies.

The in-form De Kock fell for nine to a magnificent diving catch from Jason Roy off Reece Topley's bowling with big-hitting Irish opener Stirling then dismissed for two by Tom Curran before Vince was run out for 13 as the home side found themselves in difficulties at 32 for three after 28 balls.

But fast bowler George Garton's quickfire 23, after being surprisingly promoted up the order, and two crucial knocks of 40 from Davies and de Grandhomme got their side over the line much to the delight of another sell-out crowd with the Lancashire batter hitting a six off Topley to wrap up the win.

After winning the toss and opting to field, the Brave recovered superbly after an ominous-looking start from the Invincibles, who raced to 46 from the first 16 balls before being reeled in by the home side's bowlers.

Opener Will Jacks bludgeoned 39 from just 13 deliveries before falling to Garton when he mistimed a pull shot and found the hands of Jake Lintott with Colin Ingram falling to the very next ball.

Skipper Sam Billings survived the hat-trick ball but his stay at the crease was brief as he followed Roy back to the pavilion as the visitors lost their two key batters for six and 12 respectively to find themselves in deep trouble at 64 for four.

Sunil Narine, Laurie Evans and Tom Curran all failed to steady the ship as the Invincibles slumped to 99 for seven as seven wickets fell for 53 runs, with Lintott finishing with figures of three for 14.

Kent left-hander Alex Blake helped Billings side see out their innings with a well-made 44 from 28 balls to at least give his side a target to try and defend but it proved to be an under-par total as the Brave men followed their women's side by reaching the knock-out stages of the competition.