LUCTONIANS director of rugby Alex Davidson is hopeful that Worcester Academy players Tom Dodd and Ben Fowles will be available for this Saturday's home game against South Leicester.

Both players have been unavailable in recent weeks and, coupled with a mounting injury list, Luctonians have struggled.

But following an encouraging performance at Tynedale, Davidson is confident his team can get back to winning ways.

"In terms of forwards we are blessed, we just hope none of our backs get any more injuries," said Davidson.

"Joe Doyle is the one that we want to get back, but Rhyan Scott-Young has left the squad to join the RAF."

Luctonians lost 29-24 to Tynedale that leaves them 11th in National League 2 North.

"The performance was much better than the week before and we did well considering we went with a depleted squad," added Davidson.

"We left at 4pm on Friday and headed to Darlington for an overnight stay.

"That can throw the boys a bit and when we went to Tynedale, the pitch was heavily frosted.

"But there was enough grass on it and it had to be played.

"We took Sam Jones with us.

"He is with the Paras, but is now on leave so helped us out.

"We put in a lot of effort in the first half, which was reflected by the 12-12 scoreline at half time.

"It was an end-to-end game and it was a fair result, with us picking up two points."

Luctonians dominated the first 20 minutes and opened the scoring with a Jordan Street try in the 12th minute.

Tynedale levelled through an Ash Smith try before Lucs scored again with an Alex Smith touchdown.

Louis Silver converted to put Lucs 12-5 ahead.

But the home side brought the scores level by half time when Smith converted Jamie Blamire's try.

Lucs restored their lead minutes after the break through Scott-Young, but on 50 minutes, Oli Walker's try was converted by Smith to put Tynedale ahead for the first time.

Smith extended the lead with a penalty before Blamire burst through to score with Smith adding the extras.

That made it 29-17, but Lucs managed to get their bonus point try five minutes from time through prop Kyle Garner; Silver converting.