So here I stand once again, the feelings of fear and excitement a cocktail in my head creating endorphins and adrenaline that flood my bloodstream, waiting for the whistle when, at that split second another legalised war will start on this astrogranite pitch. I can see from the stance of the linemen in front of me that they don’t know whether to relish the moment or stand in terror before the Orc hoard opposing them. To my right I can see Adkinson and Kemp ready and waiting they both nod solemnly there acknowledgement to me. And to my rear I see the smaller frames of our catcher and thrower. Both jogging on the spot to cover there nerves, waiting for the kick off. The sound of the crowd before deafening, now just a distant hum as all I hear is the blood pumping in my head thumping inside armour.

It is time, the skull splitting sound of the refs whistle cuts through the thick dusty atmosphere and it was a split second before the ringing ceased in my ears and I realised that we had started our first drive. I looked back to see Jericho grab the ball up off the icy ground and bundle off towards the left flank as Kemp ran out to join him as guard. To my front the linemen were taking a battering yet standing strong as the giant Black Orcs tried to push their way through so as to cut to the under belly of our defence, thank fully I had been ordered to make a blitz at the Orc linemen who had started making a break down the right wing he was clear of the already engaged front line. I powered towards him and inches before contact I lowered my left spiked shoulder down and brought it hard up under his chest with enough force to hear his armour crack, I ran on with a backward glance to see him fall to the floor on the line, safe in the knowledge that Travis would come behind to cover him if he should raise himself from the dirt.

Side stepping a spreading pile of gore that was once the arm of an Orc Lineman, I head toward the centre of the Opponents half, suddenly baring down on me is the shadow of one of the Black Orcs he had seen me attacking up the right flank and by the fire in his eyes that is the last move he wants me to make, past the oncoming bulk of muscle and sinew I make out the shape of Kemp fighting to protect Jericho who has been stranded with the ball near the half way line as Jackman our catcher lays Knocked out on the floor. I try to dodge but it is clear that the giant will pound me to the floor and as I put up my arms for protection I see Angello come in from the side and assisted by Taylor and myself we are able to push him away slightly dazed. My head in a spin Angello shouts at me and points at Jericho who is trying to loose the ball in my direction, I’m not the only one that sees the nod and I narrowly manage to side step an Orc lineman coming back for defence. The wirey Orc Catcher creeps into my line of sight with Jericho, in an attempt to intercept the spiked missile but fortunately Taylor is on to him and bundles the squealing green wretch to the floor leaving me clear to catch the Ball.

The swirling noise of a cyclone coming towards me helps me centre my eyes on the incoming rocket, all around is silence…………….. I see my hands……………. I see the ball………I connect with the ball and it is safe…..the torrent of noise and the rancid smell of the game comes flooding back into my system as I turn to head for the end zone I hear Angello pounding up behind me as guard, as I hurtle the last few precious yards to the dirt line encrusted with blood and bone I through myself past the winning post and it is all over, I lye exhausted on the astrogranite as the crowd screams in delight and my team mates lift there weary limbs in celebration at the first Touchdown of the match. We must stand and push our way back through the opposing players on the pitch to our dugout for refreshment, an Orc offers his approval of my Touchdown and I smile back with grateful thanks, knowing that although we fight for glory against one another we are all just the pawns of our coaches. The modern day chess pieces of society.