IT'S not Suez, or Black Wednesday, the depression of the 1930s or the miners strikes.

But the word crisis is unavoidable at Tenbury Rugby Club so far this season.

For the last 40 years the side have rarely been rolled over easily,but this season they are in the middle of a horror start. The omens were there from the start when they could not even put out a side for the visit to Droitwich.

Then came defeat against Ledbury, and after being edged out of the Tetley Vase by Stourport the roof really collapsed. In the last three North Midlands One games they have lost 111-0, 51-0, and 67-0, results which can hardly be blamed on decisions going the wrong way.

The malaise is deep but far from prompting gloating from age old rivals it only raises concern. Unlike business, sport needs to look after its rivals to flourish and nothing can be gained by winners or losers from a 100 point drubbing.

Kidderminster Carolians might be excused for allowing themselves a smirk as defeat against Tenbury two seasons ago cost them promotion.

But problems such as Tenbury's prompt only concern.

''I can't believe a club can change so quickly and it's very sad,'' said KCs spokesman Brian Gittins.

''We've always had good games against them and even if we won we never beat them easily. It's absolutely tragic this is happening, they're old friends to us. I've never known a side in division one to get beaten so easily.''

A player shortage is at the heart of the problem. Tenbury's location means there are always plenty of farmers in the side and harvest means they are unlikely to be regulars at the start of the season.

An exodus to newly formed Clee Hill has also hurt the club and then, to cap it all, the defeat against Stourport saw two key men captain Darren Kite and number eight John Watts both picking up long term injuries.

And with Tenbury offering nowhere to study A-levels a supply line of young players is also cut off when players are just 16.

But the enthusiasm remains undiminished and there is no sign of the towel being thrown onto the Penlu pitch.

''There's still a tremendous spirit at the club but we'd welcome new faces,'' said secretary Lee Patten. ''Teams have good seasons and then mediocre seasons but we intend to carry on and fulfil our fixtures. The lads are playing sociable rugby while others are trying to play top notch rugby. We might have suffered a record defeat but we're still having a drink afterwards and enjoying our rugby.''

Playing for fun -- now that's a novel idea. Crisis, what crisis?

Monday, October 19, 1998.