Men on boards in trouble (6)

I believe the answer is:

ordeal

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'trouble' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'men on boards' is the wordplay.
'men' becomes 'OR' (military abbreviation for Other Ranks).
'on boards' becomes 'deal' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'or'+'deal'='ORDEAL'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ordeal that I've seen before include "Difficult experience that tests endurance" , "Difficult experience, a tough time" , "Unpleasant and prolonged experience" , "Ancient form of trial" , "Prolonged suffering, difficult to endure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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