PROLIFIC Shoalhaven historical author Alan Clark has been at it again.
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His latest book, A History of Cambewarra Cricket, will officially be launched at the Cambewarra School of Arts on Sunday (February 6) from 3pm.
Incredibly, among a host of other historical books he has produced over the years, this is his 17th on Shoalhaven cricket alone, and is part of a series featuring Shoalhaven Cricket Clubs of Yesteryear.
"I had time on my hands during the long COVID months," he reflected.
"I was able to go into great detail in some aspects, including the index which includes many full names."
He has dedicated the book to the Evision, Goodger, Binks, Wilson and other Cambewarra families who "loved their cricket".
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He particularly highlighted Cambewarra's greatest cricketer, Ref Evison, a dynamic allrounder, who is one of only three Shoalhaven players to have first grade aggregates exceeding 6000 runs and 700 wickets.
Many of Ref's phenomenal efforts are revealed, including how team-mates thought his career may have ended prematurely when he lost several fingers as his hand became caught in a chaffcutter towards the end of the 1929-30 season.
However, he found a way to hold the bat and within two years he had scored a club record 230 with almost 80 per cent of his runs coming in boundaries.
"There are other anecdotes that have been related, including one about the future Australian captain Monty Noble who was dismissed cheaply when he played at Cambewarra in the 1890s; and the Cambewarra batsman in a rep game at Goulburn where he was dismissed by Don Bradman - before he became a superstar batsman," Mr Clark said.
Cambewarra was one of many Shoalhaven villages that fielded cricket teams during the second half of the 19th century, providing social interaction for the menfolk, and they were often accompanied by wives and families.
"Without a designated sporting field, wickets were put down on various farming properties, including those of Zaccheus Glanville Bice, Samuel Matthews, James Fraser and Thomas Binks," he said.
"Two were needed in the summer of 1875-76 when the club's teams both played at home on the one day, and almost a century later, all matches at Cambewarra were still being played on private property."
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In 1891-92 Cambewarra started a tradition of concerts followed by dances, and they would be held at least annually for many years, sometimes to include the presentation of trophies.
On occasions they were held to coincide with the full moon, making it easier for those patrons travelling long distances in horse-drawn vehicles, to make it home safely.
"A surviving minute book covers a period of 50 years from 1910-11, the information it contained was minimal," Mr Clark said.
"For the main part, match results and other club news have been transcribed from the various local newspapers that are available on microfilm at Shoalhaven Libraries, and for some seasons on the Trove website.
"For quite a few years the bowling figures were not published, and I was left to simply count how many wickets were taken."
One of the original clubs when the Shoalhaven Association was formed in 1892, Cambewarra had minimal success in first grade.
However, it was often a formidable opponent in second grade where it won three consecutive premierships during the late 1920s, and went on to win that division 10 times over 35 seasons.
"At the time I retired as association recorder in 2012, only Bomaderry seconds had bettered that record," he said.
"Details are provided on every finals match in which Cambewarra participated, and all grand final teams are listed."
The cover of A History of Cambewarra Cricket features the second grade premiership winning side of 1928-29, which included some well known Cambewarra family names - Binks, Goodger, Evison and Wilson just to name a few.
A number of the club's other premiership winning sides, including the first grade Cambetross premiers of 1973-74, are featured in the book.
He has selected some club members for profile articles, which often reveal longevity and dedication to the sport, and Cambewarra in particular.
They include one notable player from the 1970s when the club played under the name of Cambetross - Allan Webber who still holds the record for the most wickets (14) in a first grade semi-final.
From a previous generation, Lindsay Goodger took a similar number in a second grade grand final which remained an association record for 40 years.
"For much of its long history, the club was blessed by having several members of a family in the one team, and that presented fresh challenges," he said.
"Every effort has been made to identify them with christian names, and I apologise for any that are incorrect."
In the index, he even endeavoured to include the full names of deceased people, to note when they were known by a second or third christian name, and the occasions when they were known by something else altogether.
"Obviously the focus is on the dominant players in any team, and I apologise for failing to mention those who have played supporting roles and made the Cambewarra club what it was over many seasons in this district," he said.
"I have looked at more than a thousand matches involving Cambewarra players over about 100 summers, but ended before the rejuvenation through North Nowra-Cambewarra.
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"That era is being left to a future historian."
President of the Cambewarra Residents and Ratepayers Association, who will host Sunday's launch, Graeme Cord paid tribute to Mr Clark's dedication and tenacity in telling Shoalhaven's history.
"What Alan has done is incredible," he said.
"Not only with this book, but all his books. The book features 182 stunning pages of not only Cambewarra Cricket history but the village's history.
"As an association we thought the least we could do is host the book launch."
A History of Cambewarra Cricket will be on sale at Sunday's launch for $25, or by contacting Alan Clark at alanwclark@yahoo.com
And for those wondering - yes, book 18 of Clark's cricketing series has been completed - it is on one of the district's most successful clubs in Shoalhaven first grade, the Pyree Cricket Club.
Read more: Local History
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