At 17, Bill Johnstone was getting used to turning heads. At just over 6 feet tall, and with a lean muscular physique, brown hair and green eyes, he looked every bit the school Rugby captain that he was. Most of the boys at The Grammar School idolised him, and just about every girl he encountered eyed him up and wanted to feel his bulging muscles.
Academically, he was doing alright, but his teachers and parents knew that he was capable of much better - but so far at school, socialising and sport were his priorities. However, he was entering the two years that would determine his University entrance , and, although he didn't appreciate it yet, it was time for him to start concentrating on his work.
Still, such thoughts were far from his mind as he jogged onto the rugby field at the head of the First XV. He was looking fit and ready in his crisp, and clean senior team kit -black shorts, with a green and black jersey and socks. The rest of team followed him out while the parents, teachers and other students in the crowd applauded enthusiastically.
Bill looked up into the crowd to see his father and big brother watching. He gave them a wave. His 20 yr old brother Angus had come down from University to see this match, as both the boys' father and Angus himself had also been First XV Captain of Grammar , and they were very keen to see if the latest Captain would live up to the reputation. Bill smiled cheerfully as they both waved back and he ran over to join his team as the opposition Boys' College team ran on to polite applause.
This game was the traditional season warm-up at the start of the winter. Bill had been eagerly looking forward to it for months. he was fit and ready to play the best footy of his life so far.
Only one thought clouded his mood - one of the Wingers of the other team was Frank Gibson. Bill had been playing footy against Gibson for nearly 10 years, but had grown to hate him pretty much from the first time they had met. Gibson used dirty tactics to try and win at all costs - not at all the attitude that the Grammar boys were taught.
The thing that always got Bill was how Gibson managed to get away with it - when any one on his team would get 6 of the best as a minimum, and quite probably be kicked off the team. Coach Hawke would demand nothing less.
So, it was with mixed emotions that Bill noticed that Gibson wasn't in the run-on side. He was sitting on the sideline, in the team track-suit - must be being rested. Bill then looked over at his coach standing by the field - and nodded as he yelled encouragement to his boys.
Coach Hawke also watched his handsome Captain preparing for the game to begin. He had great hopes for this boy, feeling that Bill could lead this team to the Schools' Championship, while also being a great pin up recruitment poster for both Grammar School applications in the wider community, and also for Rugby within the school itself.
The crowd cheered loudly as the whistle was blown and the ball thrown in, and the game begun. Over the first half, Bill's team played sparkling Rugby and completely outplayed the Boys' College team.
Bill himself got a giant roar from the crowd and his ecstatic father and brother, when he scored the first try, and then converted it.
By the half time whistle, the Grammar boys were on 18, and the College 3 - a big difference for College to make-up in the second half. The Grammar team were bubbling with excitement in the dressing room at half time, as they psyched themselves up to a fever pitch with war-cries, while they clean-up and gulped down sports drinks.
Bill called the room to a hush to address the players, as he stood on the bench in the centre of the room.
"Guys !" he bellowed "guys listen" as his team mates turned towards him.
He smiled at the quiet, saying "Thanks ... I just want to say that we are gonna go out there and destroy these boys .. we're gonna WIN !!!" At that, the team all joined in bellowing "Win, Win , Win" as they followed Bill, who had jumped off the bench and run towards the field.
The coach watched them thunder out of the room, shaking his head in wonder at the aggressive attitude of his young gentlemen. He sure hoped they would win, but also was hoping that cost would not be too high, particularly as it looked like Gibson was going to be playing for College this half.
Bill noticed Gibson run on too, and after the aggressive team bonding before he felt ready to deal with his nemesis. He clapped his hands and bellowed "C'mon Grammar" as his team formed up for the start of play.
College started the second half like men possessed. Playing aggressively and scoring a try quickly. Gibson was immediately making his presence felt, pushing and shoving Grammar boys and orchestrating some unorthodox plays on field.
Bill was seething as he noticed one of his guys getting tripped by Gibson. No one had tried that on him yet - probably because they knew he'd belt them one. He was about to go over and confront Gibson, when he heard Coach calling him.
He jogged over to the sideline - "Yeah Coach ?" he said, grabbing a drink of cold water.
Coach Hawke put his hand on Bill's shoulders and looked him in the eye "I can see what Gibson's doing to some of the guys Bill".
Bill's eyes flashed with anger "Yeah I know .. if they try that on me I'll ....."
The coach interrupted "You'll do nothing Bill - we'll complain officially later, but no responding on the field ."
"But coach !!" complained Bill .
"But nothing" said the Coach, "I'm holding YOU responsible for stopping any fights Bill - we will not respond on the field, or I'll put some stripes on your backside !".
Bill looked up at his coach with a look of surprise and concern. The coach softened his threat by ruffling Bill's hair and slapping his shoulder saying "not that it'd make much of an impact on an Ox like you".
Bill smiled slightly and said "Aww .. c'mon coach. you know we are all still a bit scared of your cane." He vividly remembered the sting of being caned by the coach a couple of years before, but after his exemplarary conduct and robust growth of the last two seasons, it had become a running gag by the Coach that Bill was "so tough now that the cane wouldn't hurt him, it would just bounce off his muscular backside". Still, Bill was sure the cane would bite hard if it was applied again, and he wasn't too keen to find out just how much it hurt.
Finally Bill looked up again and said "Ok coach.. I'll keep the guys in line", and he turned to run back to his team-mates.
Coach smiled slightly at his star player as he ran back, giving him a good long look at the very backside they had been discussing. He sighed deeply that there was no boy in the school who had a better backside for caning, but there was also no boy who deserved it less.
Coach Hawke remembered last time he'd heard in the staff room that Bill Johnstone had been caned. Four strokes for accumulated de-merit points for not keeping his shirt tucked in. It was given by the lad's housemaster last year - who said that he just bent over calmly, wearing tight uniform shorts, and counted each stroke , stood, thanked the Master, appologised for his sloppiness, shook his hand and left when given permission. Very calm, and without a quaver in his voice - the lad left the room almost as though nothing had happened, when most boys, even at 16 or 17 would be rubbing their bums , and have damp eyes.
Hawke had drunk in every word describing that session, and was very jealous he hadn't been able to perform that punishment. He knew most of the staff felt the same way - they loved the fact that the Captain of the XV was such a polite, well behaved role model in most respects, but equally they all wanted to see a cane strike hard across that well formed backside at least once more before he left the school.
Hawke knew he was being unfair on Bill, effectively threatening him with the cane if anyone in the team responded violently to the taunts and physical abuse of Gibson and the College team. Still, he knew the lad could and would take it like a man. He wouldn't take this strategy with any other boy. In a funny way - it was a mark of respect for his captain. With that thought he sat back to watch his boys play.
Bill was true to his word - he cajoled and threatened and helped keep his players tempers cool as the opposition continued with the dirty tactics on everyone but Bill. Gibson have Bill a couple of crunching, but legal, tackles and Bill kept his own cool. Coach was beginning to believe he shouldn't have warned Bill and just caned him for any blow-up without warning. But the coach liked his players too much to try that - even for the chance at caning the most caneable of bums.
Then he noticed a scuffle and a couple of raised voices. Gibson had pushed at Williams, and Williams had shoved back. Bill jogged over to obviously try and calm his boy down, but Gibson started yelling at him too, and gave him a shove. Coach watched as Bill tried again to calm everyone down, but Gibson was clearly angry and said something that got Bill angry because he shoved the opposition player back. A bit more arguing ensued.
Coach was on his feet, wondering whether to intervene. Play had stopped and the referee had gone to calm the boys down - except that Gibson and Bill Johnstone were having a full blown argument, and Bill finally had enough and threw a vicious right punch and decked the other player. The partisan crowd went wild applauding the home captain, who started limping off the field , even as the Referee blew his whistle and signaled that he was sent off for the rest of the game.
Coach couldn't believe it. He growled at Bill as he stomped past " go and cool off in the showers, you know what to expect after". Bill just muttered a "yes Sir" and went into the changing shed. He was angry now, and didn't much care for the consequences.
As he went into the locker room he pulled his jersey off and threw it across the room and swore loudly. He then pulled his boots off and dumped them on the floor. He left a trail of clothing as he pulled items off on the way to the shower.
As he ran a hot shower and put himself under it - Bill started thinking about the punishment to come., He knew that, Captain or not, and provoked or not, he would get one harsh caning very soon. He was still angry at what Gibson had said and done, and didn't care if his own butt was going to get it, he would never let a team-mate be abused like that.
He heard the final whistle of the game as he dried off and pulled on his tight training shorts over his jock, as required before a caning from Coach. He was packing his locker when his sullen team-mates came trooping in and ripping their jerseys off. They had lost.
Williamson came up to him and offered his hand "Thanks for your help out there mate". With a smile Bill took it as said "that's ok mate".
Williamson smiled and patted his back and said "Sorry you got sent off but that guy so deserved it".
Bill laughed slightly and said "He sure did".
Williamson laughed too saying "I just hope you don't cop it from Coach".
Bill smiled slightly and just said "Oh I think you can bet that I will".
As they got ready for the showers , most of the team came over to congratulate Bill on his actions. They had all suffered under Gibson's tormenting, and had heard what had happened with Williamson, and were glad their Captain had stood up for them.
That was when Coach Hawke came in. "C'mon boys" he bellowed "hit the showers - captain Courageous here and I need to had a chat".
The team laughed nervously and headed for the showers wondering what Coach was going to say to Bill. They hoped he wouldn't get into trouble.
Bill stood to face his Coach.
Coach looked at Bill and said "I warned you mate "
Bill hung his head slightly, but said "Yeah I know coach .. it's just .... what he said to Williamson was just unforgivable".
Coach folded his arms and said "So what did he say ?".
Bill recounted the story of how Gibson had started slapping the Grammar guys on their inner thighs really hard and then whispering obscene comments about how they all were pansies who liked it. Then with Williamson he just sent a bit further - grabbing his balls and taunting him about how this was his life's wish.
Coach Hawke watched impassively as Bill told the story. The young man became more agitated as he told the final details, saying "... and so I go over to calm it down, like you said to do Coach, and Gibson says "oh look here comes your jealous boyfriend" and starts going on about how Williams lusted after me or something , so I told him to shut up and he then said something about how you Coach were ...umm ... having your way with us all .. and that we were all loving it .. Sir . So I decked him"
The coach could believe his ears - that Gibson sure had a mouth on him ! He wasn't surprised the boys had lost it. He smiled wryly and added "You also broke his nose Bill"
Despite his impending punishment Bill smiled broadly and said "Did I ? al-riiight !", and punched the air in victory.
"This is no laughing matter Bill" chided the Coach gently. "You need to be punished".
"Yes Sir , I know Sir" said Bill.
Noting that Bill was already in the right shorts with no shirt, so he led the Captain over to the other side of the locker-room. "Bend over and touch your toes Bill" said the Coach.
The rowdy noise of the team under the showers filtered through - so Coach knew he had a few minutes of relative privacy still, as he watched Bill bend over in those very fetching tight work out shorts.
he picked up his heavy senior cane and tapped it on the tight fabric. "12 of the best Bill" said the Coach, "we expect the highest standards form you".
Bill sighed "Yes sir". This was going to be a bad one ! He waited as Coach drew the cane back and swished it hard into his backside .
"One Sir" said Bill through gritted teeth.
Coach Hawke smiled slightly as the boisterous noise of the team in the showers died as they obviously listened in. He drew the cane back again and thwwwwacked it lower across Bill's backside.
'two sir" said Bill.
Three. Four. Five . Six . The strokes whacked across Bill's backside, Still he called the numbers out in a clear voice. Coach noticed a few of the rest of the team sneaking a peak at what was going on as he thwaaacked the next stroke hard across the lower part of Bill's bum.
"S-seven sir " said Bill, his voice cracking slightly.
Coach smiled - he was really making an impact now ! he brought the next stroke down low too.
"Aaagh ... eight sir " moaned Bill, gasping fro breath.
The coach was about to bring the next stroked down when he head a voice from the side say "uh Sir ?". he turned and looked at Williamson standing with a towel wrapped around his waist .
"What is it Williamson ?" he snapped "can't you see I'm busy ?"
Williamson gulped and looked at the cane nervously saying "yes Sir .. sorry sir .. it's just we all just want to say that we .. the guys .. think you are being too harsh on Bill here , and he was only standing up for us Sir "
Coach Hawke marveled at the loyalty they already felt to this Captain.
"Is that right ? " said the Coach before turning to Bill and saying "Bill stand up and explain it to him please."
Bill stood slowly and turned, red faced, to face his team mate. He was really grateful they were trying to save his hide, but couldn't let them get into trouble too. He took a deep breath, looked Williamson in the eye and said "Thanks for trying mate , I appreciate it, but Coach told me at the beginning of the second half that he was going to hold me responsible if there was any on field fighting - so seeing I started the only fight .. I guess you can see I've got this coming !". Bill smiled slightly as he looked to the Coach who nodded, so bent back over.
The Coach shrugged at Williamson "Go back and finish your shower mate- he's ok ". Williamson nodded glumly and went back.
Coach retook his aim - tapping the cane on Bill's bum, before brining it down hard again.
"Nine Sir" gasped Bill.
He then took aim and gave the last three hard and fast across the lowest part of Bill's bum. The boy gasped at the sudden pain.
"Arrgh ... te...eleven ... twelve Sir " he stuttered.
Coach put the cane down sand said "Ok , Bill, you can stand now".
Bill stood slowly and shook his coach's hand and gently rubbed his blazing behind. "That's sir" he said, smiling ruefully.
Coach Hawke smiled back and ruffled his hair "You're a good lad, I hope you've learnt a lesson from this" before adding "a... and the rest of you can stop listening and get in here".
The rest of the team came in quietly looking worriedly at Bill. A few asked "Are you OK mate?". Bill nodded and pulled his track suit pants over his shorts and then pulled on a shirt.
The coach looked over his team "I know you think I was too hard on Bill. But he's Captain and we expect the highest standards from him, and we will not tolerate fighting on the field - it reflects badly on us. But he's taken his stripes and this matter is now forgotten from my point of view."
The team sighed with relief, and packed their bags and were chatting good naturedly as they headed out the door. Bill was last of the team out, and saw his brother waiting for him,, leaning on his car hood.
Angus smiled at his little brother "Good right hook mate" and shoved him playfully before asking "so did you cop any flak ?"
"Yeah" nodded Bill "got caned - 12 of the best" before rubbing his sore bum.
"Phew" whistled Angus "that's a bit harsh isn't it ?" Bill nodded but said "Yeah .. but he said I was supposed to never react to the taunting , and he charged me with keeping the team under control and I threw the first punch so .... " and he shrugged his acceptance.
Angus looked at his newly grown up little brother "That's a good way to look at it" and then smiled and said "dad was very impressed with how you played - and so wants me to treat you to a big slap up meal r so we can catch up before I get the train back to Uni. He said he'll see you at home."
"Cool" said Bill with a broad grin as the two brother got into the car and headed into town.
This story marks a return to the "School Days" series I wrote a couple of years ago. I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts about whether to continue with this style of story, and with this character of Bill.