JT chapter sampler

He burned down the sideline, a cheeky smile on his face, try line closing fast. Surely he’s going to drop it? Or just throw me an intercept? He didn’t. Uncle Stephen planted the ball and raised his arm towards the sky. ‘Yeah, the trophy is mine,’ he beamed. ‘Last-minute try to win the grand final. Give me the Clive Churchill Medal now.’ And then I yelled. ‘Na, next try wins,’ I demanded. ‘Game’s not over. It’s next try wins.’ But it wasn’t. Uncle Stephen was already putting the imaginary Clive Churchill Medal around his neck. Game over. So I ran back home and bolted into the kitchen. ‘I’m never playing with Uncle Stephen again,’ I said to Mum, my eyes wet, my face red. Whether it was cricket, football or the last jellybean in the jar, I had to win. The rough stuff didn’t worry me a bit. I could take a beating, but only if I won. I was even worse when it came to cricket: I was never out. ‘Na, I didn’t knick it!’ I would scream, even if the ball tore off a chunk of willow from the side of

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