LUCTONIANS director of rugby Alex Davidson believes having big forwards will be key in order for his side to start well next season.

The Mortimer Park side are now safe in National League 2 North following a dramatic 17-15 win against Tynedale yesterday.

Lucs are in eighth position with 62 points – 11 points above the drop zone, with just four games to go.

"I wanted 62 points and I don't think any team has ever gone down with above 60 or 61," said Davidson.

"The other teams below us also have to play each other, so mathematically I think we are there, but we want to keep playing and keep our win total high for the rest of the year.

"Our coach Stuart Bemand point a points total at the end of about 75, so another couple of wins are needed to get that.

"We stayed up in the final minute of the final game last season and it took a massive effort to get there.

"I think that tired the boys through the summer and into September and October.

"It was always going to happen that we would make a slow start, but having been safe earlier this time, I would like a much better start next year.

"There will be a coming and going of players, people like Josh [Watkins] still have aspirations of going higher up, we just helped each other out in the short term.

"But our problem is still the big forwards, that is how you set your marker early in the season, with a bit of weight and nous. So that is what I'm looking for in my team."

Tynedale proved to be a real test for Lucs and it needed a late converted try to win the match.

"It was a very close game up there and one we couldn't take too much away from playing on 4G, which was a new experience for our boys," added Davidson.

"We were confident after their long travel down here on a grass pitch, we would do a bit more, but they fought for their lives.

"They are still facing a drop, whereas I think we're now safe, and they played that way.

"They were very organised, had a great set piece. but we managed to match it and finally got the upper hand right at the death."

Lucs opened the scoring through a Louis Silver penalty after 16 minutes, but it was Tynedale who grew stronger and went into the break 5-3 up after Ollie Walker scored in the corner.

The same player then added another try four minutes after the break, with Matty Outson adding the conversion.

Lucs desperately tried to reduced the deficit, but Tynedale managed to stop any threat they posed.

The home side did manage to reduce the deficit after 62 minutes when captain Dan Smith was driven over; Silver converting. 

And, with the home crowd roaring them on, Lucs grabbed another try at the death through Will Burton.

Silver's cool conversion attempt then sailed over to win the match.

"We had a massive amount of possession in the first half and our set piece was much improved from last week, but we only put three points on the board.

"That gave them a big chance to wag their tail and they did that either side of half time.

"But, in the end, we ground it out."

"It sets the tone for the rest of the season now.

"We've got one away trip at Otley now and three at home to finish off."