IT'S WAS only by the skin of their teeth but Plantation Diggers made it through to next weekend's Coffs Harbour District Cricket grand final following a heart-stopping win over Nambucca Valley.

Club legend Steve Meakins was again the man of the moment.

An unbeaten half century saved Diggers after it looked almost certain the plucky young Nambucca side had their measure.

At tea, Diggers were 8-118 and in desperate trouble.

Before the match, captain Alex Byrne took a gamble and dropped Meakins from opener to a lower position in the batting order.

"If we get into trouble, if anybody can put something together, it's Meako," Byrne predicted as if gazing into a crystal ball.

Aided by Glen Kesby, the veteran batsman scored 52 not out including the winning runs.

It could have been different.

He was dropped early in his innings ... and the rest is history.

"Not bad for an old bloke," Meakins quipped.

Next Saturday, the opponents are the formidable Sawtell Blue Caps at Coffs Coast Sports and Leisure Park.