The year 2013 was quite an incredible one for Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, and head coach Gavin Hogg.

Not only did the Suffolk side win promotion to national level rugby for the first time, which saw Hogg scoop the Abbeycroft Leisure Coach of the Year award, but they have also more than established themselves at this higher level of National League 3 London & South-East.

“It’s been quite a year,” admitted Hogg.

“It seems like absolutely no time ago when we were pushing on for promotion and it’s all happened very quickly.

“The Christmas break has allowed me and the team to reflect on just how much we’ve achieved.”

Hogg continued: “But we can’t stand still.

“We’ve got to carry on with the same ambition and drive, but with a more realistic approach.

“We’re fifth as things stand and I’m delighted with that. The aim at the start of the season was for a top six finish and then maybe look to push on further next season.”

Hogg’s men haven’t played since December 21 - and saw their proposed fixture against Thurrock last weekend called off due to the bad weather.

“Last Saturday’s call-off might have been a bit of a blessing in disguise,” said Hogg.

“Being so soon after the New Year, it might have been a difficult turnaround to travel there and perform, so it gave us another week to get on the training field and prepare.”

Bury host Tring tomorrow afternoon, a side they impressively defeated 31-17 away from home earlier in the season.

Hogg explained: “Tring are an established side at this level, having been in the division for five or six years.

“We went there at the start of the season to use the game as a marker of where we were at.

“It was a great result and we’ll be hoping to do it again on Saturday, even though they’ll be coming here with confidence following some good form.

“We like playing at home and the crowd can really get us going, so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Bury St Edmunds squad: Stone, Smelling, Mann, Bellamy, Gouldie, Samoa, Mason, Edison, Radmall, Dodds, Walters, Davies, Gibson, Maile, Bell, Morrison, Leckner, Rush.