Sam had played rugby ever since starting secondary school. They enjoyed it so much they decided to keep it up even after graduating and moving on to college. They figured it was a great way to keep in shape and also to support their local Sports Club which had come close to shutting down for a lack of finance. Thankfully grant aid was found from a charity that demanded that everything at the Club was inclusive. Nobody should be denied access to sport on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, sex, or social standing, they said. Sport should be an outlet for all in the community to enjoy together and be used as a conduit for greater understanding and community spirit.

Sam was one of the first to sign up for the Rugby squad, having become proficient in the sport and having a genuine enthusiasm for the game. Shorter than the rest of the team and fleeter of foot than most, the coach had no hesitation when choosing who would be scrum half for the team. With good hands, a quick turn of pace and good on field vision, Sam was the obvious contender.

Alex and Joe had joined the Rugby squad at the same time as Sam and together they were the three amigos, thick as thieves and fiercely loyal to each other to the extent that if any opposition tried to rough one of them up during a match, the other pair would ensure the next tackle would involve a tweak of a tender area, or a knee that would make their eyes water and remind them not to mess with the wrong people. Rugby was a game where no quarter was asked or given and you left everything you had out on the pitch. At full time, you shook hands with your opponents, and with the referee, and then retired to the bar for communal drinks.

The 2023-24 season had started well with four wins and only one defeat before the traditional pause in games around the Festive Season. It wasn’t so much a time to rest on one’s laurels but more a time to recover from niggling injuries sustained in those five matches or to rest weary limbs and prepare for the remainder of the season which would end in March.

The team had a strict code of conduct reminding players that it was their duty to themselves and to their fellow players to maintain their fitness levels, avoid excesses and be prepared for the pre-match training in the second week of January. However there was another unwritten rule. Christmas was for spending with family, New Year was for spending with the ones you love and the first weekend after New Year was when the squad partied together.

This year’s venue was a Country House Hotel 30 miles out of town – the ideal location for a wild evening of excess where nobody would know you and the proverbial hair could be let down – although as any Rugby player will tell you, hair is simply something else your opposition can pull you by or can get into your eyes when you don’t want it to and so the squad maintained a tightly trimmed cut across the board.

Alex and Joe were sharing a twin room but Sam had been fortunate enough to snag one of the single occupancy rooms so it was a case of dumping the bag, smartening up the appearance and then heading down to the bar for the first of the pre meal drinks. The banter as usual was flowing as everyone was still in the festive season spirit, and the bar area filled quickly. The event wasn’t just for the first fifteen - other members of the club squad and the ancillary staff were included so physiotherapists, trainers, office staff and even the cheer leading squad were invited. It made for a crowded and noisy room.

The mood was celebratory and everyone mingled and shared their usual line of jokes and jibes but as usually the case with sports clubs, there was a common respect and mutual admiration. They were a band of brothers shared a club crest on their shirts that was older than they were and would be worn by generations to follow them. They were the current generation of Academicals and hoped they would write their own names in the history books before they had to pass the baton.

Sam glanced around the other players jostling for a place at the bar where they could order the pints of ale that would only act as an aperitif for the evening’s excesses. There was the odd crooked nose from an on-pitch break that didn’t quite reset as it should, and some of the older players had ears that showed the damage from regular tugs and damage from scrums and rucks. It was a tough job maintaining your good looks when you played Rugby although being scrum half, Sam’s job was simply to feed the ball in and quickly distribute it again once it emerged from the back of the pack. The others could gouge and bang heads with the opposition. Unlike its trans Atlantic cousin American Football, Rugby was played without padding or protection – items such as shin guards, mouth guards and the “box” worn to protect a gentleman’s “tackle” were allowed but not compulsory. The impact of two 18 stone males running into each other was just as severe in both sports but in Rugby there was nothing to prevent elbow from hitting head or shoulder to bash into chest. It was a man’s sport, Sam thought, and smiled to think how long the American’s would survive playing in such conditions.

It was approaching 8pm when the barman rang the bell loudly to attract people’s attention. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Will you please be seated for dinner!” a Hotel staff member announced from the doorway and the 50 plus members of the party made their way into the large function suite where six large tables were set out to accommodate the group.

Sam managed to sit at a table where Alex was directly across the way and the two were able to have a quick chat while the others were engrossed in their own conversations. “You’re looking good tonight!” Alex said with a smile and Sam replied “Not so shabby yourself! Planning on making any moves later?” Alex chuckled and said “Joe and I were hoping to get together with the loose head and tight head!” Sam laughed and replied “I was thinking inside centre myself!” and they clinked glasses “I’ll drink to that!”

Before the food was served the Head Coach stood up and said “I just want to congratulate you on a hugely successful first half to the season. 2023 has been a good year for us and I hope you can continue to bring the same level of concentration and commitment to 2024. Lets make a resolution have some silverwear to show off at our end of season dinner in April, OK?”

There was a roar of approval from the room with much banging on fists on the tables and feet stomping on the floor. The coach called for a toast to 2024 and everyone got to their feet and drank from their glass just as the waiters began to bring through the starters and soon everyone was focussed on eating and refreshing their glasses from the bar.

As Sam was taking a bite of the prawn in smoked salmon starter one of the cheer leading team who was sitting at the same table looked across and smiled shyly. Sam returned the smile with a little wink, The two had talked a few times after matches but were hardly friends. Both squads trained separately and only ever saw each other on match days when the focus was squarely on the 80 minutes on the pitch. The cheerleader was blonde, around 18 or 19 and very pretty looking – not in the dumb blonde way though, more like someone who was confident who she was and what she knew. She looked as if cheerleading was just her exercise regime and she had a far more interesting life away from the pom poms and rah rah skirt. Sam hoped there would be an opportunity later to discus that with her.

Sam chose the fish option while others had a steak as their main course. Drinking white wine instead of red was another tactic adopted to try to ensure the evening was not spoiled by having to go to bed early feeling bloated and drunk. The season was not over yet – there were still some matches to be played in January and being a sportsman meant keeping your body fuelled but fit, especially where your position meant you needed speed as well as guile and flexibility.

The desert was served and while some at the table attacked the apple crumble with custard Sam enjoyed the fresh fruit salad with cream.. Coffee followed and the table began to relax further and the noise levels rose and tray-loads of beer arrived and the song singing began. Alex caught Sam’s eye and mouthed the word “Loo!” and they both headed off

“Oh man, that cheer leader is into you!” Alex said to Sam when they were in the peace and quiet of the toilets. “You think so?” Sam replied. I’ve spoken to her a little over the past few months and she seems nice, right enough” Alex nodded as she said “She has been watching you all night. Kiddo! I’d say she is smitten!” Sam laughed. “Maybe her new year resolution was to bed a player from the first fifteen!” Alex looked at Sam and said “Well? Best not disappoint the girl!” and the pair laughed as they headed back into the function suite.

Alex watched as Sam walked over to the cheerleader and whispered something in her ear and she nodded and the pair slipped out of the room and headed into the adjacent bar. Keeping an eye on them, a smile crossed Alex’s face as the pair walked out of the bar 10 minutes later hand in hand.

Up in Sam’s bedroom the pair were transferring lipstick. “Its Connie, isn’t it?” Sam said as they paused for breath and the cheerleader nodded. “You have no idea how hard it has been on the sidelines – watching you in action on the pitch and seeing how totally cool you are in the midst of all those big sweaty guys, making all those clever moves and telling passes that take the team up the park! I get so nervous watching you in action, scared you are going to get crushed by the defensive team!” Sam kissed her and whispered “That’s sweet of you, but I can take care of myself! I work out in the gym and am stronger than I look! Anyway, the secret is to avoid the hits and that where quick feet come into play!”

Connie began unbuttoning Sam’s shirt and Sam began to unzip Connie’s dress. “You know, the cheer team really make a difference to us” Sam said. “The crowd cheer us on of course but sometimes their frustration comes over and can make some of the players distracted. Your constant support and positivity really rubs off on the team and reminds use that we can always turn things around.”

Sam saw Connie’s pert little breasts and smiled. She had the body of a young pubescent girl! Years of dancing and exercise can affect breast size of course as many female sporting icons had shown over the years. It worked for runners in particular and Sam thought the last thing a cheerleader wanted were over active puppies on her chest bouncing around during a routine. As her dress fell to the floor, Sam also noticed the matching black panties and decided not to be the person to remove them just yet.

Connie pulled Sam’s shirt open and pulled it down so that the arms fell out of the sleeves. She was slightly confused by Sam wearing a sports bra. She knew that many sportsmen wore them for support during matches and events but this was a celebration dinner and it seemed unnecessary but she didn’t waste time on that. Instead she disconnected the belt on Sam’s trousers and pulled them down to the floor.

Just then, Sam lifted Connie’s face up and resumed kissing. While they did they disconnected each other’s bra. Connie pushed Sam towards the bed and they fell together onto the soft quilted cover, mouths locked together, tongues investigating each other’s while hands stroked each other admiring the smooth hairless surfaces of neck, arms, and chest.

Connie started moving her kisses down Sam’s body. The chin, the chest, the stomach were all smooched as she worked her way down and then she gently pulled back Sam’s panties. She paused for a second and smiled before leaning down and kissing Sam’s lips.

Samantha Mooney had had a few encounters during her school days which made her believe she was bi-sexual although she had felt herself more male oriented in her early relationships. That was why she had chosen to play rugby over netball. Right now though she was feeling very aroused as a tongue probed her inner sanctum and she arched her back as its tip began to toy with her clitoris. She could feel herself reaching orgasm but wanted to draw it out longer so she took hold of the face of her tormentor and kissed her passionately.

“When did you know?” she asked breathlessly and Connie smiled. “Properly? About 30 seconds ago! But there were rumours around the cheer leading squad that you would only shower with a couple of others in the rugby team and you weren’t as hairy as the other Rugby players!”

Sam giggled. “I’ve got a double ended dildo in my case if you want . . “ and Connie smiled and shook her head. “I’ve got a better idea” she said and pulled down her panty gaff and released a very aroused phallus. Sam’s eyes went wide like saucers as Connie giggled. “Yes, I can still get this little friend to attention, my hormone treatments haven’t killed him off just yet!” She slid a condom into place as Sam watched with mounting excitement. “You see, Conrad Jackson always wanted to dance so I did ballet for years until I was able to convince my parents they had a daughter and not a son!”
She giggled as she saw Sam’s face slowly breaking into a smile. “Looks like we’ve both been hiding our true selves!” They kissed. “Lets play at hiding something else, shall we?” Connie said as she gently placed herself at the Sam’s entrance and gently pushed herself in, causing Sam to gasp with pleasure and grasp at the bedclothes in ecstasy.
“Don’t you just love it when you’re part of a gender neutral sports club?” Connie asked playfully.

Sam’s answer in the positive, repeated over and over in a loud shout could be heard down the hall.

Three doors down Alexandra McCall was on her bed across the room from Josephine Jones on her’s. Both were beneath two of their team mates, both of whom were props in the front row of the scrum. They could hear the sound coming from Sam’s room and smiled. “Sounds like someone has started without us!” Alex said and Joe said in mock frustration “and I thought this was a team sport!” Their large partners looked confused at the conversation their dates were having, prompting Alex to talk to them in terms they would understand.

“OK, lads, Scrum down!! Crouch – Bind – Set – Engage!!” she called out, to the chuckles of the others in the room. Then in her best impression of famous Rugby referee Nigel Owens added “USE IT!!”