Soccer

My brother and I used to play soccer in the back yard of a place we were renting at Carrara St, on the south side of Brisbane.  We had a light ball, and a net set up as the goal, and to stop the ball going next door.  It worked most of the time.
In the yard where we played we also had a cactus growing.  Not only was it huge, it was one of those hard pointy ones.  We played around it.
It was close, but my brother was better than me.  I am so thankful to my brother.  He was a natural at many things and took the time to teach me stuff.  He taught me catching.   We were the slips cordon, and we would throw a golf ball against a wall made out of concrete and large stones.  The ball could go in any direction and often did.  This led to spectacular dives.  I ended up a wicket keeper due to my ability to follow and catch a ball. 
We had a sock tied to the cloths line, so I could practice my shot making. When I went for the team, the teacher said he had not seen shots like that from anyone.  We were legends in our own lunch boxes though.  We went from Townville to Mackay to play our contemporaries, and their first five batsmen retired as we just could not get them out.
In later years my brother and I played cricket in the back yard using a tennis ball and a cylinder pipe as the bat.  Boxes were fielders.  Hit them on the full and you were out.  At another place the dog was considered a legitimate fielder.  Boy was that dog a good catcher.  Only trouble was, he took extended breaks in a pool of water under the tap.
I suppose all our memories are full of our triumphs.   I remember bowling out an A Grade opener.  I walked back to my mark and thought, I will pitch this one up and faster.  It jammed him up and his stumps went flying.  I do not know who was more surprised – him or me. That team was so worth playing, as the feed they put on was second to none.
My brother and I were so into the soccer.  We got all the teams involved in the FA cup and went through every one until two teams met in the grand final.  On grand final day we ran out onto the pitch from the house, and my brother kicked the ball in the air as we ran, like they do.  Unfortunately the ball landed directly on top of the cactus and went down.  That was the end of that.  But only for a time.
Grand final time came around again, but it seemed so unfair as he was injured.  They were his teams contesting the final.  I cannot tell you who won, but I do know we had a great time.
I was good at sport once, but not much else.  I guess that is why the teacher said to my parents “at least he is good at sports.”