The Tenterfield Bumblebees came within a whisker of toppling the Far North Coast President's Cup premiers on home soil on Saturday.
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Bees' Coach Phil Jones was left ruing decisions made on the field as his side were beaten 17-15 against the Yamba Buccaneers.
"We were the better side. We played really well but we had two disallowed tries," he said.
"Right at crucial times, one was about five minutes to go, supposedly a forward pass.
"The touchie said 'no it was fine' but the ref called it from the other side of the field.
"We scored about five minutes after and that would have put us right in front."
Despite the loss, Jones was rapt with his side's performance.
"We played really well, probably one of the best game we have played. Even they said we were a 20-point better side they were just lucky," he said.
Their scrums were highlighted by Jones in their opening matches as needing improvement but he was happy with them in the Yamba clash.
Jones also noted a handful of standouts.
"Jacob Cox got players' player and three points at fullback. He was unreal for an 18-year-old, broke the line every time and took it back hard," he said.
"Grant Townes had a really strong game at flanker and Lachie Dorward, my other young guy on the wing scored a couple of lovely tries."