Out on the pitch went great, to start off with we went through the usual warm up stretching and exercises. 

I got paired with Miguel for all of them that take two and got to hold his wrists while pulling against each other’s lack of flexibility. Then pushed on his back to stretch his spine. 

Oh hell, his muscles feel beautifully defined through his shirt! 

He almost broke me in half in return, shit did I just moan? I really hope he didn’t hear that, what if it sounded as pleasure filled as it felt?

Then it was on to full on training, I love this bit. 

Stood in his blue already muddy tight exercise clothes, Cap asked, “any volunteers to be demonstrated on?”

My hand went straight up, and Kevin asked, not for the first time, “seriously Stiffy, you sure you’re not a masochist?”

Walking forward I mockingly replied, “so what if I am? Do you want to volunteer?”

The huge solid back row, with black hair and calm green eyes called Will, who was next to him pushed Kevin forward, “go on roadrunner, I could knock you down a few times.”

As one of our smaller wingers, Kevin blanched and replied, “who am I to spoil Stiffy’s fun?”

Oh, fuck they hit hard, laying on my back on the plastic covered crash mat yet again, I grinned up at the grey sky, then took Dave’s hand. When he pulled me up, I said, “you still need to try and hit lower and lift as you push through.”

“Thanks Stiffy, I’ll try my best.” Said Dave as he wandered off to where the others were doing maul practise to keep warm. 

Next and last up was our new second row, a surge of adrenaline raced round my body as I saw Miguel leaning down to charge at me. 

The tackle was all I could hope for and more! 

His broad shoulder slammed into my stomach just above my belly button, his huge arm wrapped tight round my waist as he slightly lifted me off my feet, then tipped me back and down onto the crash mat. 

His body was on top of my lower half, I was pinned down by his weight, pain surged up my spine and I couldn’t help but groan lightly! 

Fuck that hit is going in my wank bank! 

Pushing up with his free hand, while still laying on my legs, Miguel asked, “you OK?”

Oh hell is his hand gently caressing my back? Oh shit, I’m going hard, and he’s still over my crotch! 

Nervously looking down I hummed to the affirmative, “all good.” 

Has my voice always sounded that high? 

Miguel pulled me up and said to the others, “I think I hit Jonathan a little hard, I’ll take him for some water for a sec.”

“Thanks Miguel.” Called Cap with a thankful smile, “right you lot, passing practise.”

Held round the waist, I mumbled to Miguel as he helped me across the pitch, “I’m really alright.”

Not looking down to me he replied, “I know you are, but water is always good for you.”

Don’t think about how good his hand feels or how rich his voice is, you can’t afford to get harder right now. 

Sitting me on a bench next to the clubhouse, Miguel grabbed my water bottle out of all the other guy’s and handed it to me. 

“How did you know that was my one?”

“Which other fully grown man would have a Moana water bottle? I saw you pull it out of your bag and will never forget.”

Does this mean he was watching me? No don’t get excited, it is an odd water bottle in most people’s eyes. 

For the first time I heard nervousness in Miguel’s voice, “did your kid buy it for you?”

“I obviously bought it for myself, it’s a brilliant film.” I replied with a childish grin. 

Oh wait, is he trying to see if I’m single? 

I looked round to see that soft smile on his lips again. 

“What about you? You got kids?” 

Running his large hand through his brown locks, that had fallen forward over his forehead, Miguel replied, “nah, never found the right person.”

Oh shit! Oh shit! Did he just say person, not woman? 

“Yeah, me neither.” 

I’m single, please see I’m single! 

Just then Cap yelled over, “you guys ready to join in a practice match?”

“Sure Cap!” 

I grabbed my scrum cap from my bag and strapped it round my chin, it’s not a good look on me, but better than cauliflower ears.

I heard a soft chuckle from Miguel and turned to see him smiling at me. 

“What, is there something on my face?”

Reaching forwards he pulled something from my cap, “you had a huge chunk of grass sticking out of your head.”  He briefly showed me the mess of dried grass before dropping it to the floor, “much better, let’s go.”

Dagnam it! Way to look like a plonker!

My hand drifted to my cap, Miguel groomed me, he is so kind!

We jogged over to the others and were met with a warm sunny smile from Brad, who said, “right, Stiffy you’re on the bibs side,” he handed me a bright yellow bib to put on, “Miguel you’re on my team, mark Stiffy and learn all you can from the way he plays.”

The match was great, Miguel moves wonderfully, I would barely get the ball before I was down in the mud with him trying to grapple it away from me! Oh man his mauling is spectacular; he drives the play forwards at every opportunity. 

I got a sinking feeling I wouldn’t be in the proper matches as much going forward. But I still want to help Miguel become a better player, I really am a masochist... 

By the end of the match the bibs lost, so we had to do punishment drills. 

DD’s angelic face really hides a sadist of a captain! 

Feeling my already tired muscles burn as I ran back and forth, I touched the 5-meter line then ran back to between the posts, and caught a glimpse of Miguel watching me. 

There was again that soft smile on his lips, before he quickly looked away, it almost looked like he was watching his pet play. 

The thought of Miguel being my master sent shivers down my spine, and I stumbled as I dashed back towards the 5-meter line.

Paul’s large hand grabbed my bicep holding me up, and he panted at my cheek, “careful Stiffy.”

“Sorry Splurger, I just wrong footed myself.”

Happily jogging as the rest of us sprinted, Kevin chuckled, “no one likes it when your Stiffy goes down.”

We all groaned at Kevin; his dad jokes are getting worse! 

After squats, jumps, burpees and all manner of other harsh drills, we all collapsed on the field next to the clubhouse. 

The winning team didn’t look much better than us, Cap gave them winning congratulatory drills, utter sadist!