Under the coaching of Dan Soper, the Co Down side managed to secure their highest ever finishes in both the All Ireland League (3rd in Division 2A) and the Ulster Senior League (5th).
It followed on from a brilliant 2011/12 season in which they achieved promotion from All Ireland Division 2B and made an appearance in the First Trust Senior Cup Final for the first time in the club’s history.
Second row Simon McKinstry, a stalwart of the club, believes they have come a long way over the past few seasons.
“I’ve played for the club for quite some time and this current team is right up there with the best. Last season we achieved our best ever finish in both our primary competitions so that was very pleasing. The challenge now is to build on that success.
“Our style of play has really changed over the past couple of seasons, from being a forward dominated, 10 man game, we're now playing some great running rugby and I hope that can continue," he said.
The club has added quality and depth to the senior squad in the last few seasons, including Ulster scrumhalf Ian Porter who has returned home after spells at Queen’s University and Belfast Harlequins.
McKinstry insists that while Porter has deservedly received great plaudits for his performances last season, everyone in the squad has contributed significantly.
“Ian was superb for us last season, in a class of his own, and it's not difficult to see why he was playing for Ulster last Friday. But we have a fairly good balance all over the park. Last season our right winger and second row were joint top try scorers going into the last game. Needless to say the forwards made sure the second row got the all important winning score,” he joked.
With a successful pre-season under their belts, McKinstry is now raring to go ahead of the Ulster Senior League, which kicks off tonight at Rifle Park versus Malone.
“Pre-season has went very well, it’s been enjoyable with lots of ball work and a bit of gut busting stuff. We’ve had lots of new faces and the good numbers so far, which will hopefully continue. We now can’t wait to start competitive games again.
The former Club Captain is also excited to see how the new scrum engagement trial will affect the games this season. “The new engagement sequence at scrum time will be difficult to get used to for both players and refs so I'd imagine that'll take a game or two to get ironed out. If they achieve what the IRB want then they have to be good for the game,” he concluded.