He was just 17 at the time and the team was captained by his 20-year-old brother Graeme.

“I was still at high school at the time,” Ian said.

“We probably weren't the best 11 players in the comp but we were the best team in the way we got on and would fight for each other.

“There were no egos.

“And I think that showed by the fact we had a 19-20-year-old captain.

“There was not one word that questioned any of his decisions or plans as captain.

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“We all had faith in Graeme.

“It was pretty unheard of at the time and even now in the current game to have a first grade captain so young.”

He recalled the side’s hard-fought semi-final win over Bomaderry and then the grand final victory over Cambetross at the Nowra Showground where his brother produced a match winning performance of 18, 53 and 6/42.

The premiership side include - Graeme Sawkins (captain), Eddie Jarrett (vice-captain), Stephen Campbell, Darryl Goodger, David Goodman, Mick Harben, Bert Madge, Garry McGuire, Don Orth, Doug Richards, Ian Sawkins.

Graeme Sawkins was the star with the bat scoring 308 runs at 44, while Goodger claimed 32 wickets at 9.62.

Those and many more stories are relived in superb local historical author Alan Clark’s latest book,  A History of Kangaroo Valley Cricket, part of his superb Shoalhaven Cricket Clubs of Yesteryear series.

“None of us actually lived in the Valley at the time,” Mr Sawkins said “but we all had strong links with the area.

“It was a strange situation - if we had a first grade side, Berry usually didn’t and vice versa.

“We didn't have a turf wicket in the Valley, although we had one at the home farm just west of Walkers Lane - so we played all our home games out of Artie Smith Oval.”

Mr Sawkins was one of a number of former players who looked over author Alan Clark’s manuscript.

“It is simply superb,” he said “as usual Alan has done a remarkable job.”

A History of Kangaroo Valley Cricket published by the Kangaroo Valley Historical Society, will be launched at a special afternoon gathering on Saturday, October 13 at Osborne Park (Kangaroo Valley Showground) from 2pm.

Light refreshments will be provided at the gathering and the book will be on sale for $20.

For further information contact Garth Chittick on 4465 1367 or email: history@KangarooValleyMuseum.com