last week -- with a warning that they may have to fold if things don't improve.

Sean Field-Lament called an emergency meeting after the club were able to field only 13 players in their first team in their last outing.

Field-Lament denied that the winding up of the club was discussed but admitted the situation had got dire.

"I wanted to shake everybody up,'' said Field-Lament, "and show them how dire the situation had become. I was hoping that everybody would pull together.

"The atmosphere was serious but I came away resolute in what we are trying to achieve and encouraged by the things that were said.

"Obviously we are looking for players -- like every other club. Other clubs are in our position; I think Teachers are the only team with strength in depth and hence their success on the field. Police are now a very community-based team. There are only about four policemen in the team. And with recruitment from overseas down, there are no guarantees that we'll get more players.

"We don't really want to fold but if things don't improve, there is that option.'' He added that the meeting was "also a shake-up for the elected committee, some of whom have been a little lax in their duties.

"But I came away with a positive feeling and we have some big games to focus on -- the Duckett Memorial and the Niccol Shield. With those we can salvage some pride from the season.

"It's ironic really, that in our 40th anniversary, we should have got to the brink of folding.

"I guess it goes in cycles. Last year we had a fantastic season -- it was injury free and success breeds enthusiasm. But when you get a mixture of injuries, retirements and poor results, people tend to drift away. "But I'm concerned about the image of Bermuda rugby and we don't want to let Bermuda rugby down.'' Ironically, rugby officials met earlier last week to discuss the way forward.

Members of Bermuda Rugby Football Union came together but denied the sport was in crisis.

BRFU youth development officer Grant Tompkins said: "I don't think there are any major problems. We are just looking at how to develop the game.

"We are getting some grants from the International Rugby Board and they want to know what our development plans are. So we are having to draw up a four year plan and obviously, within that, we've got to look at getting new players. Some teams have been struggling to put out second teams.

"But it's not all doom and gloom. We are making plans which we are in the process of talking about and they should be completed in a couple of weeks.''