Junee came within an inch of causing a spectacular upset at hallowed Twickenham, with heavily favoured Tumut surviving a late second-half scare from the Diesels to clinch victory.

The Diesels were left bitterly disappointed by the meagre two-point loss to the Blues and a controversial disallowed try, which would have snatched a groundbreaking win in the dying seconds of the game.

After a critical off-season recruiting campaign, much of Junee’s premiership hopes rested on the broad shoulders of newcomers Sione Tongia, Nathan McGowan and Willie Purcell.

The trio made a stunning first impression on the club in the heated clash with Tumut, with New Zealand Bartercard Cup Player of the Year Tongia paying immediate dividends for the Diesels.

In an outstanding display, Tongia crossed the line for a hat-trick of tries, using his brute strength to trample over the Blues defence.

Players’ player McGowan showed attacking class as he guided the team around the dry Twickenham paddock, easily stepping into a leadership role at his new club.

Tumut dominated the opening minutes of the game, taking less than 10 minutes to record its first four points.

Junee hit back through Tongia, but the Blues were quick to retaliate and had the Diesels on the back-pedal.

Diesels supporters, team members and officials had an anxious wait as star fullback Josh Whittey lay on the tryline with a suspected back injury.

The first half was delayed almost 30 minutes as Whittey was attended to by trainers and paramedics before being transferred by ambulance to Tumut Hospital.

Diesels president Simon Vanzanten said on Sunday night that he understood Whitty had sustained a “soft tissue injury” but would make a full recovery.

The first half had plenty of action to keep the vocal Tumut crowd entertained, with the half-time score 24-16 to the Blues.