It took the new Club some years to achieve success on the playing front but in 1928/29 season, having prospered at junior level the Club was given senior status by the Ulster Branch and celebrated by winning the senior league at its first attempt. Up until World War II, Civil Service teams enjoyed high placings in the league tables although silverware seldom graced the trophy cabinet. A remarkable example of this was the Ulster Senior cup final in 1933/34 when Service were leading 6-0 into the second half when the Instonians out-half broke his leg. The game was held up for a long time and on resumption the Service side was totally demoralised. Instonians, however were either made of sterner stuff or perhaps just indifferent to the suffering of their fellow man and rallied to win the game 11-6.

Playing performances improved steadily throughout the 1950s and 1960s and junior teams won league and cup competitions. The 1st XV won the Ulster Senior League in 1969-70 and enjoyed something of a tradition in “sevens” winning a number of the premier competitions in Ulster at that time.

In more recent times Civil Service has competed at more modest levels as it no longer has senior status. However, the Club also enjoyed successes in league and cup competitions in the 1990s. The 1st XV won the McCrea Cup in 1998, followed by triumphs in Qualifying League 3 and the North Down Cup. The recruitment difficulties that are a feature of many Belfast clubs have affected Civil Service at times, but we continue to field sides in the Qualifying and Minor sections of the Ulster leagues level and are very keen to expand on the number of teams.

The Club has a long and proud tradition of producing players, referees and officials who gained international and representative recognition. Several players were capped by Ulster and Ireland, while others who passed through the ranks of Service teams achieved similar honours, including British Lions status. The Club’s most distinguished son was perhaps Dudley Higgins, an accomplished full back, who gained caps during the 1948 Five Nations Championship and was one of the elite band who won Ireland’s only Grand Slam.