HARRINGTON Hurricanes will rejoin a rejuvenated Hastings League competition in 2014.
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The rugby club was accepted back into the fold at the organisation's annual general meeting on Saturday, and the decision just needs to be ratified by the Country Rugby League.
The club's move back to the Hastings League – the Hurricanes played in the competition in the 1970s – comes on the back of South West Rocks Marlins joining last season.
The Marlins were also a rugby club who had to change codes and play the 13-man game. Port News understands there was hesitation from some clubs on letting the Marlins in, for fear they would lose players.
SWR was a success story, making the semi-finals in its first year.
Hastings League president Geoff Connor was ecstatic to welcome the Hurricanes back into the competition.
"We're stoked about it," he said.
The Marlins showed that changing codes isn't an issue, and Connor said the Hurricanes had the existing infrastructure to do well in 2014.
"They've got the players, the ground and the sponsor," Connor said.
Along with making the overall competition stronger, Connor looked forward to the spice the Hurricanes' inclusion would add to the Beach versus Bush representative clashes.
There will now be 10 teams to choose players from: the Hurricanes, Marlins, Lake Cathie Raiders, Lower Macleay Magpies, Hy-Tec Sharks, Port Boardriders, Kendall Blues, Beechwood Shamrocks, Long Flat Dragons and Comboyne Tigers.
The Boardies are back in the competition after a year in the wilderness.
"It will be good," Connor said.
“The Beach/Bush comp was good anyway. This will make it even better, adding another Beach side.
“It [the competition] is starting to build now.”
Presidents of two Port Macquarie clubs – the Boardriders and the Hy-Tec Sharks – welcomed the Hurricanes back yesterday.
Boardies president Malcolm Andrews and Sharks president Josh Button agreed the Hurricanes’ inclusion was a boon for the competition.
They looked forward to the 2014 season.
“We will have a healthier competition … a growing competition,” Andrews said.