Runaway First Division leaders Ireland Rangers have withdrawn from the inaugural Champions Cup Tournament involving the top four clubs in the division over the Christmas break.

Rangers assistant coach Lee Correia confirmed yesterday that the West End club had already notified Bermuda Football Association (BFA) of the decision not to compete in the tournament which kicks off next Tuesday night at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Citing fears of players getting injured during the festive tournament, Correia said it would be in Rangers? best interests not to play for the $2,000 cash prize. The club, he insisted, considered promotion to the Premier Division at season?s end their top priority.

It is also understood that at least two other First Division clubs have contemplated withdrawing from the new tournament unveiled by the BFA just over a week ago.

?We have already corresponded with the BFA notifying them that we have declined the invitation to play in the tournament,? Correia told yesterday.

?Had this competition been initially included on the schedule then we would have had to deal with it. But because we have an option and a small squad we don?t want to risk any injuries to our team or jeopardise our position in the league. Our main objective this year is to be competitive in the league which has in the past slipped from our grasp.?

Twice over the last five seasons Rangers have allowed promotion to slip through their hands at the last hurdle.

In 1999-00, Devonshire Cougars pipped Rangers in the promotion race by a single point while one year later the West Enders lost a two-match play-off series to neighbouring Premier Division club Somerset Trojans.

Correia recalled how Wolves clinched the 2001-02 Dudley Eve Trophy but were then relegated to the First Division primarily as a result of picking up injuries over the holiday competition.

Rangers want to avoid suffering the same fate as their divisional rivals, said Correia.

?We don?t want to take any unnecessary risks as we presently have a small squad and if we were to suffer injuries then that would limit our depth,? he added.

?We think this competition is good as it gives teams in the First Division something else to play for. But we also believe this could be our best chance for promotion in years and so we do not want to risk this opportunity.?

So far, Devonshire Colts are the sole team to qualify for the Champions Cup while Prospect, St.George?s and St.David?s remain firm favourites to clinch the remaining three berths ? though seventh-placed Wolves s till stand an outside chance of qualifying following Rangers? withdrawal.

But this could all change as both Colts and Prospect are undecided over competing, possibly opening the door for either Social Club or Paget to compete.

BFA league and cup competitions chairman Charles Clarke confirmed yesterday that clubs had the right to exercise an option not to compete in the inaugural competition.

?A team does have the right not to participate in the competition,? he said. ?And that right will then be presented to the next available team. But this is something that will be discussed during the association?s executive meeting tonight (last night).?

The new Champions Cup tournament features six double-headers to be held over the festive period in a double elimination format culminating in a January 2 final.

There is a $12,000 cash incentive at stake with the eventual Premier Division winners of the Champions Cup set to pocket $3,000 while $2,000 goes up for grabs in the First Division.

The first round of the tournament is scheduled for next Tuesday and Thursday with the second round to take place on Boxing Day and Tuesday, December 28.

The penultimate round is to held on Thursday, December 30 with the final to be played on Sunday, January 2 at White Hill Field.

Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset Cricket Club, St. David?s and Southampton Oval are also set to host games.

The draw for the Champions Cup takes place today.

Dandy Town, PHC Zebras, Devonshire Cougars and Boulevard have qualified for the Premier Division tournament.

First Division action continues tonight with a match Somerset Cricket Club with Prospect taking on St.George?s in a game that could cement the second Champions Cup berth. A previously scheduled second match between Wolves and Paget was yesterday postponed.

In Tuesday night?s First Division double-header at the Den, St.David?s blanked Paget 3-0 to stay on course for a spot in the tournament while Colts sealed their berth courtesy of a 3-1 defeat of Wolves.