Gundagai put on a demolition job in last year's Group Nine grand final but it was a very different story in a typically fiery clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

With both clubs celebrating their centenary seasons, the prestigious trophy, which was first played for in a clash between the two clubs 100 years ago, was dusted off.

The Blues fired out of the blocks and didn't let a Gundagai rally stop them on the path to taking out the challenge with a 30-12 victory.

Tumut have had plenty of personnel changes since the 40-18 grand final loss so co-coach Zac Masters was thrilled with the performance the side put together.

"I'm very proud of the boys as I was unsure how we would start with a few new faces," Masters said.

"I thought it might have taken some time to gel but the energy and effort was there and that was all we could have asked for."

Masters, who won the Bronc Jones-Ray Beaven Medal, started things off as he crossed after five minutes.

Capitalising on plenty of possession, a lovely flick pass from Tolo Aroha-Tuinauvai put Andrew Harris over before Lachlan Bristow helped the Blues to a 16-0 lead after 22 minutes.

Gundagai responded with 12 minutes left in the half as Derek Hay sliced through the Blues defence before the Tigers cut the margin to four points when Luke Berkrey forced his way over.

While the Tigers looked to be surging a fast start to the second half from the Blues gave them plenty of momentum.

Brayden Draber caught the short side defence out as he scored from dummy half four minutes after the interval.

Debutant Tom Hickson then made a big break down the left sideline before the Blues spread the ball across the field for Aroha-Tuinauvai to score.

Hickson then completed the win with a late try in the corner.

He and fellow debutant Jesse Bellchambers impressed Masters.

Masters was also thrilled with how the team responded after the Tigers got themselves back into the contest to get one back after last year's grand final.

"It's still pretty raw that grand final defeat last year and it is one we missed so we were pretty keen to get on the front again this year so it's a very good start," he said.

The Blues did put up one injury concern with Draber coming off midway through the second half with a ribs complaint.

The Riverina representative is in doubt for the clash with Kangaroos at Equex Centre on Sunday.

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