LUCTONIANS Head Coach Ryan Watkins said that watching his side dismantle Blaydon in their crunch play-off match was 'pretty special'.

A crowd of 857 packed into Mortimer Park to cheer on his side as they ran out 31-17 winners and secured their place back in National League 2 at the first attempt.

Watkins said the win was 'redemption' following their relegation to the Midlands Premier last season.

"It was pretty special," said Watkins.

"I thought we would win it but didn't think we would play as well as we did.

"Everything we have been doing the last two seasons fell into place. I was really impressed and the big game got the best out of the players.

"After the disappointment of last season the boys stuck together and got their redemption by playing for each other."

It was a family occasion for Watkins as his brother Josh Watkins scored a first half brace to take a hold on the tie.

"Josh going through with two tries showed real quality," added Watkins

"Sometimes you need somebody with a bit of magic to unlock the defence and he beat seven or eight players during them two scores.

"They were amazing runs and I was jumping up and down on the touch-line. The boys know how impressive he can be but for him having his brother as the coach can make it difficult as I can't always praise him."

Watkins said that a season in the Midlands Premier has allowed Luctonians to re-build into a stronger side ready for a return to National League Two.

Luctonians are yet to learn whether they will play in the northern or southern league next season.

"The boys know what to expect and we will make some signings," Watkins added.

"We have a strong squad and we are in a better position for that league than this time last year and we are not going up just to survive.

"Going down has meant we have been able to blood a lot of young players under less pressure.

"It has allowed us to go down to basics and build as a club. We wouldn't have had as much time had we stayed up and been under that pressure of surviving.

"The RFU will ask if anybody is willing to transfer between the leagues and will then pick the teams with the shortest miles to move.

"It is between three or four sides which will move. I don't care which league we get placed in as we will have a massive home advantage in whichever league.

"Teams will have to travel a long way to play us so our priority will be to win at home."