Group 6 rugby league has been rocked by the withdrawl of the Moss Vale Dragons from the competition – effective immediately.
The announcement comes on the eve of round nine of the 2016 competition.
It follows the withdrawl of Appin Dogs after the end of last year’s competition, which left the 2016 first grade competition with nine teams and a bye every week.
Now there will be eight teams vying for the title.
A statement was issued this afternoon by Stephen Hazelton, the executive officer of Group 6 Rugby League.
“Group 6 CRL management has been advised today, with a sense of great regret, that the Moss Vale Dragons Rugby League Club, has decided they need to withdraw their first grade team, from the 2016 Group 6 CRL first grade competition,’’ the statement said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We are all aware, even with the hard work from the Moss Vale committee, the club is unable to continue the difficult task every weekend, to sustain the squad in our tough competition.’’[/social_quote]
The Moss Vale club will now concentrate on their U18s, Ladies League Tag, and second division teams.
“Moss Vale will commit to these competitions for the rest of the season, and will look forward to rebuild their first grade squad again next season,’’ the statement from the Group 6 management executive said.
“This has left the Group 6 Management Committee in a very awkward situation, where it seems we have no other option but to restructure the first and reserve grade competitions, to remove the two byes, and do a redraw starting from round 10, after the June long weekend, to complete the 2016 season with a strong eight team first and reserve grade competition.’’
The second half of the 2016 Group 6 draw, without byes, will be released shortly.
