Tenterfield Bumblebees coach Phil Jones labelled Saturday win over competition heavyweights Evans River as "probably the best game of footy we played as a team."
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At Federation Park, the Bees rose to the occasion to defeat last season's minor premiers 24-5.
"I reckon they [Evans] are the benchmark side," Jones said.
"They might have come here expecting to give us a bit of a touch up but everyone turned up on the day."
Jones couldn't fault his side across the park.
"We started really aggressive and the game was won on defence," he said.
"The backs were outstanding in defence, they didn't break the line once.
"We dominated scrums, line outs were very good.
"There were some really good performances from everyone, just a really good, team game.
"We trained well all week, that was the big thing, we had good preparation.
"They are a very strong side but we just out-muscled them in every facet of the play."
Jones admitted it was difficult to single out any individual efforts.
"Forwards really got the team going forward," he said.
"It was a great team effort but there were some really good standout players.
"Matthew Bertalli, he played front row and he was outstanding, Jayson Murphy again, Jason Maunder had his best game for the club.
"We welcomed him back, he has only been back for two weeks."
The Bees have the bye this weekend before they hit the road for three consecutive away trips. Jones said moving forward, the Bees could be a premiership force it is a matter of hitting the training paddock and knuckling down.
"We have proven that we are a team that could go all the way, if we played like that each week, it would take a very good side to beat us," he said.
"We have just got to maintain that positive attitude.
"We have to get in our heads that we have a team that can win the competition, we just have just got to put it together and train hard."
Their next home game will be against Grafton on July 27 which will feature Ladies' Day.
The Bees are also hoping to put together a Golden Oldies outfit to take on Grafton.