PLANTATION Diggers collected the Coffs Harbour District Cricket minor premiership with a comfortable 51 run win over Sawtell at Fitzroy Oval.

But the pattern of the match suggests a lot more work is needed before Diggers' name goes on the winner's trophy in two weeks as the Blue Caps only need to tighten up a little to send the title right to the wire.

Diggers batted first and ran up 9-187, before Sawtell were bowled out for 136.

Similarities between the two performances were uncanny.

Both teams fared badly at the beginning and were 3-12 in next to no time.

Great middle order batting was the attractive feature of both outfits and the tails wagged in the manner that is going to be needed when the pressure intensifies im the finals.

The one big difference and overall clincher for Diggers was the superb 91 run stand from Damon Rootes that included eight boundaries and three sixes.

Brad Lewis chipped in with Sawtell's big middle order contribution - his 57 made up of five fours and a pair of sixes.

What hampered the premiers was seeing the run rate slow down at the back end.

Front line bowlers Glen Kesby and Julian Hulbert did the bullocking work against the top order but the next wave of Bassi, Garland and Rootes proved very economical and hard to score off.