Teka was full of admiration for the team following a late surge of points that left Junee well and truly stranded.

Under pressure at times in the first half, Tumut led only 18-12 at half-time and were clinging to a 24-22 advantage midway through the second half.

However, in a grandstand finale, the Blues gave the Diesels the slip when skipper Adam Pearce scored a decisive try in the 66th minute.

Brayden Draber then wrapped up the win for the Blues before Trent Charlton scored for the visitors right on the bell.

Spearheaded by prop Tamati Ioane, Tumut finished far too strongly for Junee, according to Teka.

“We had the right mind set,” Teka said. “The boys played it out to the end.”

Currently fourth on the table, Tumut is in a position to climb higher with “winnable” games against Tumbarumba, Temora and Brothers in succession before playing Albury on July 24.

“We’re looking at the top three,” Teka said.

“That’s exactly where we want to be.”

Not for the first time this year, Ioane was in commanding form and created headaches for the Diesels.

Likewise, skipper Pearce and hooker Jacob Toppin were stars for the winners, while Matt Hands tried his hardest to get Junee home.

With 15 points, Tumut is three clear of fifth-placed Albury (12).

Junee clings on in seventh spot on 10 points, but have lost ground on the top five over the weekend.

It was the Blues first win since round six following after losses to Young, Southcity and Southcity plus a draw with Kangaroos.