MULTIPLE reasons have forced the Port Douglas Reef Raiders Rugby Union Club to make the tough decision of withdrawing from FNQ Rugby’s Premier Grade and relegating themselves to the Reserves League for the 2017 season which starts in three weeks.

In what Raiders president Donnie Murday describes as “the most difficult decision” of his 17 years with the club, the local club had little option but to make the dramatic call after a dismal, winless 2016 season when they struggled to field a consistent team, or hold regular practice sessions.

The club will now join forces with Jones Park-based Wanderers with the Raiders playing in the former’s Reserves team, but still retaining their identity. Raiders’ players will also be eligible to represent the Wanderers’ premier grade XV. Four matches will be played in Port Douglas, two fewer than last year.

“The committee looked at the issue from every angle and the decision was not taken lightly. But we had to think long-term and we have to use this period to re-build,” said Murday.

“We need 6-7 quality players to be competitive, something we don’t have. The season also starts at a bad time when the town is quiet and there are fewer sugar and hospitality workers around who play rugby.

“I am hopeful that many of our current players can, over time, entice new players to the club and this will all be part of the re-building process,” said Murday.

He added that however hard the decision was to drop to the Reserves league, it is the best result for the club under the circumstances.

“We started in the Reserves when the club was established in 2000 and we progressed to the Premier league, which we won on two occasions. I am confident we can return to being a force to be reckoned with and we can overcome this setback,” he said.

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