Underdog team Palmerston scored an unlikely victory on Saturday in the Maniototo-Eastern District cricket final with a 13-run win over favourite Ranfurly on that team's own pitch.

Palmerston won only three matches in the season but qualified fourth, equal on points with Naseby and going through to the Trevor Burns Memorial Cup after beating Naseby in round-robin play.

Batting first on a greenish pitch, the visitors made 99 and looked in trouble before a fourth-wicket stand of 61 from Geoff Grubb (39) and Geoff McCelland (20) steadied the innings. Greg Stevenson-Wright contributed 16 but by the end signs seemed ominous for Palmerston. Ranfurly bowlers Mark McCauley and Willie Miller took three wickets each.

Ranfurly would have been content with the task at hand leading into the runs chase, but only three batsmen could post double figures, with Steve Pringle making 13 not out and Ranfurly crumbling to 86 all out. If it was not for 29 extras conceded by the visitors, Ranfurly's reply would have been much worse. Cameron Grubb managed three wickets for Palmerston in the win while Matt McCellend had two.

Palmerston's win is the first time an Eastern Team has won the competition outright since its formation.