BOSS Will Croker saw Bournemouth succumb to another narrow defeat before insisting: “We are the best team in this league”.

Lions had led promotion rivals Exmouth 20-12 at half-time in the National Three South West clash at Chapel Gate.

But the Cockles hit back and Bournemouth were defeated 30-28 despite a late try from replacement Luke Chandler, with centre Grant Hancox unable to slot a tricky conversion.

It was the seventh time that Lions had lost by a margin of eight points or less in the league this season.

Croker insisted that with a stronger mentality, his mid-table side would be top of the standings.

He told the Daily Echo: “The result is a real frustration.

“I know it’s easy to say because I am the coach but we are the best team in this league – I absolutely maintain it.

“In terms of skill set, physicality and tactics, we are the best team but we are still mentally a little bit weak.

“We put ourselves in positions to win games and it’s almost like it feels unnatural to us. Rather than being ruthless, we invite the opposition on to us and give them the initiative.

“On Saturday, we scored a try that was straight off the training ground and it was so well-rehearsed. Our line-out functioned, our scrummage was strong and although we didn’t defend as well as I would have liked, everything was good.

“It comes down to this inner belief. I think some of the young players occasionally think that they don’t know whether they deserve to be at the top table of rugby.

“We need to be hard-edged and look at these teams and think, ‘we’re better than you and we’re going to kill you off’.

“We aren’t doing that at the minute.”

Lions fell behind to an early try but a couple of Hancox penalties put the hosts in front, before a converted try from wing Wyn Roberts extended to 13-5 the advantage.

Exmouth replied with a converted score but just before half-time Sammy Veneroso’s chip unlocked the visitors’ defence, allowing Roberts to grab his second try.

The Cockles pulled the scoreline back to 23-22 after the restart and with 15 minutes to go they touched down to inch ahead, with a further penalty helping the cause.

And although Chandler crossed wide out in the dying stages, Hancox could not rescue a draw.

Croker added: “At half-time we felt confident because Exmouth had genuinely offered nothing.

“But in the second half we didn’t come out. We gave away a couple of silly penalties and a couple of errors resulted in a score.

“We let Exmouth play and they showed that they have got some real class.”

Lions: Veneroso, Everett-Bolter, Hancox, Chislett, Roberts, Gwyther, Hardcastle, Tarrant, Fraser, Firetto, Christopher, Bailey, Hennings, Allman, Rees. Replacements: Chandler, Hughes, Moreton.