Devonshire Cougars will now be without the services of top poacher Raymond (Packy) Beach for another two years, can report.

The prolific Cougars goalscorer had been nearing the completion of a mandatory one year ban for refusing to take a third national team drugs scan last January along with team-mates Heys Wolfe and Omar Butterfield, who have since resumed playing for the Premier Division champions.

Beach and his Cougars team-mates were asked to give a third sample for testing after their first two tests were deemed ?invalid? by drug -testing agency Benedict Associates earlier this year on the eve of the national side?s clash with Brazilian tourists Santos.

However, nearly a year later it has now been learned the player had in fact been slapped with a three-year ban amid ongoing claims it was the second time Beach had refused to take a drugs test. It is understood Beach refused to take the mandatory drugs scan at the national youth football level several years ago.

And according to a Bermuda Council For Drug Fee Sport (BCDS) ruling, footballers refusing to give urine samples are automatically banned from international and domestic football for a year but can resume playing domestically on condition they undergo drugs counselling ? however a second offence warrants an automatic three-year ban.

Beach will not now be eligible to resume playing until January 2008.

While can confirm the player?s case did go to arbitration, it remained unclear yesterday what course, if any, the club might take in the near future.

Devonshire Recreation Club secretary Ellsworth Christopher is currently off the Island, however, a Ministry of youth and sport Alternate Dispute Resolution spokesperson stated: ?I am not at liberty to discuss this. Both parties involved are not supposed to be discussing the matter and so I am also not at liberty to discuss the matter.?

Beach was originally thought to be eligible to resume playing on January 1, 2006.

Should Cougars reach Monday?s Dudley Eve Final, they will have to carry on playing without arguably the Island?s top marksman.

Devastated by the dramatic turn of events, a sombre Andrew Bascome lamented: ?To lose a player of Beach?s calibre is devastating because he is one of the most naturally gifted goalscorers this country has ever seen in my opinion.

?From what I previously understood he (Beach) was serving a one year suspension but now this three year ban makes you take a real good look at what you are faced with. And it?s really sad things can?t be worked out for a man possessing such a gift.

?It?s just a loss to the game . . . I know it?s a personal loss as a coach but you have to look at the whole game. It?s hard to replace what this man does . . . and that?s put the ball in the goal. To put the ball consistently in the back of the net has a lot to do with his individual qualities.?

Beach had been training with his Cougars team-mates at the Den, appearing sharp as ever.

?He?s been fantastic and really I don?t understand,? Bascome added. ?I was really looking forward to having Beach back in the team.?

With his key striker?s future in the sport up in the air, Bascome said the whole experience has been a bitter pill for the 2003 Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Most Valuable Player Award recipient to swallow.

?I really don?t know what to say to him anymore,? Bascome added. ?And to say he?s frustrated would be an understatement. This is really a big loss to everyone, including fellow players, coaches and fans.?

Meanwhile, BCDS chairman Jon Beard could not be reached for comment yesterday.