Cobham Cricket Club - Northland

15/04/2026

A True Gentleman was Tony Tank Edwards.

Such sad news received this evening of Tanks Passing, Tony’s contribution to Cricket in Northland can’t be underestimated.

Even last season Tony was still umpiring Senior Cricket, Tank will be missed by everyone who crossed paths with him.

𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 '𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸' 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 🤍
𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟵 - 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Tony “Tank” Edwards, a cherished figure in Northland cricket, passed away on Tuesday following a bravely fought battle with cancer.

His passing leaves a profound void in the cricketing community, where his dedication, humility, and tireless service shaped generations of players, volunteers, and administrators.

Born and raised in London, Tony attended school beside The Oval, where he worked on the scoreboard as a young man, watching greats such as Peter May and Ken Barrington. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong love of cricket. His work later took him around the world, playing the game in Italy, Greece, Holland and the Middle East before eventually settling in New Zealand with his wife, Kathy.

After arriving in Northland in 1991, Tony joined the Kamo Cricket Club, beginning more than three decades of extraordinary volunteer service. Junior cricket quickly became his passion. He coached thousands of young cricketers across Primary, Intermediate, Secondary School and club levels, guiding beginners through modified formats before supporting players as they progressed through representative pathways.

Tony served the Whangarei Junior Cricket Board for 20 years in numerous roles including delegate, Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman, and later became Secretary of the Northland Junior Cricket Board. He organised competitions, managed grounds and pitches, prepared draws and results, coordinated tournaments, and was instrumental in delivering opportunities for young cricketers throughout the region.

From the mid-1990s through the 2000s, Tony organised and managed Sub-Association tournaments involving teams from across the north, coordinated the successful Doug Thorpe Shield primary school tournament and the Whangarei Under-15 competition, and coached and managed numerous Northland junior representative teams. He also gave his time to coaching and managing junior and senior secondary teams at Whangarei Boys' High School, mentoring young players both on and off the field.

Equally significant was Tony’s contribution as an umpire. For more than 20 years he officiated senior cricket across Northland, always willing to step forward whenever a match needed an umpire. Whether it was a club fixture, school match, representative game or community competition, Tank was happy to stand in the middle to ensure cricket could go ahead. His fairness and calm presence earned the respect of players and officials alike.

Long after his own children finished playing, Tony’s commitment never slowed. He remained a constant presence at junior grounds — opening clubrooms early, setting up wickets and stumps, allocating teams, collecting results, answering questions from parents and coaches, and running the much-loved “Cricket Café,” with all proceeds returned to junior cricket. He was equally familiar running the scoreboard at Cobham Oval during domestic and international matches or stepping in as a coach, manager or organiser wherever needed.

Tony’s outstanding contribution was recognised with several prestigious honours. He received the Alan McBride Trophy at the Northern Districts Cricket Association Awards for services to junior cricket, acknowledging the immense volunteer hours he devoted to the game. In 2015/16 he was also awarded the Sir Jack Newman Award, recognising an outstanding junior cricket administrator in New Zealand for their exceptional service to the development of junior cricket.

Known affectionately as “Tank,” Tony embodied the true spirit of volunteerism. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes, never seeking recognition, simply wanting cricket to flourish and young people to feel welcome in the game.

Tony Edwards leaves behind an extraordinary legacy — seen in the thousands of players he coached, the matches he umpired, the competitions he helped run, and the vibrant junior cricket community he helped create across Northland.

He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever respected as one of Northland cricket’s true champions.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Kathy, his family, and all who were fortunate enough to know him

15/03/2026

Today saw the last game of the season for Cobham!

A Cobham youth team took on Whangarei Boys High School in a 50 over game at Kensington Park.

Acting as a warm up for WBHS before they set off to Gillette Cup in a weeks time.

It was a fascinating encounter with the young WBHS clinching the victory by 1 wicket.

Cobham batting first managed to muster 130 before being bowled out, 77 not out from Matty Hayward and 20 from Bruno Parr ensured a respectable total was reached. The wickets were shared around for the School Team with Zac Laing, Isaac Delemare, Owen Prinsloo and Noah McKay all picking up 2 wickets.

WBHS got off to an electric start with Zac Laing blazing his way to a 30 ball half century before retiring, this saw the return of opening bowler Theo Schuitemaker who ran through the middle order to finish with 4-33 from 9 overs. With the last wicket pair at the crease and 10 runs needed it was anyone’s game but then with 5 needed Owen Prinsloo hit a big six over deep mid wicket to seal the win for WBHS.

A fantastic game and a good way to finish the season, many thanks to those who helped throughout the day, especially Mike Laing, Karl Trieber and Ewen Mansford.

Good luck at Gillette Cup to Whanagrei Boys High.

27/02/2026

A great evenings entertainment for the annual Dean Franklin Memorial Match Between Cobham CC and the Kauri Stumpers!

Cobham Batting first amassed 132 for 2 off their 20 overs with Todd Beehre 30 retired, Aaron Bradley 28 retired and Andy McDowell 25 retired all played their part as did a late over cameo from Ewen Mansford.

Kauri Stumpers started strongly and stayed with the rate the whole way through the innings needed 9 of the final over which was bowled by 10 year old Cooper Bradley, and 4 off the last ball but Cooper held his nerve and restricted them to 1 meaning a Cobham win by 3 runs.

Sam Walker 3/24 off 4 overs and young Bruno Parr who bowled very economically were the pick of the bowlers for Cobham, some exceptional catches and a excellent direct hit run out from Jason Croasdale also helped the Cobham club come out on top.

A great evening in honour of Dean, thanks to everyone who helped put on some a fantastic spread for the after match.

22/02/2026

We are incredibly fortunate to have so many generous people, both men and women, across our community and grassroots sport and a wide range of sectors.

That generosity was on full display at our recent From the Beehive to the Boundary – Cobham Cricket Fundraising Luncheon, where we raised over $50,000. These funds will directly support the purpose of Cobham Cricket Club, nurturing and fostering youth cricket across our region, while also backing our chosen charity for the event, the ReSport Charitable Trust.

The support in the room was nothing short of phenomenal. Over 300 raffle tickets were sold for the iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell experience, with guests digging deep and giving generously. A huge thank you to those who provided outstanding auction items and experiences and to Harcourts Mark McGoldrick, who did a top-class job as auctioneer, helping drive the auction’s fundraising success.

We also witnessed incredible generosity around the auction items that were purchased from: Patrick Harrison, Andrew Richie, Kaumatua Energy (Sourabh Sahni), Martin Bradley, Joey Yovich, Lloyd Budd, Alice Dombrowski, Mark McGoldrick, Colin Hickey and the team at CDL Group — JP Dignon, Anne-Marie Dignon, Steph Irwin & Ben Greyling.

To everyone who attended, donated, purchased raffle tickets, bid at auction, or supported behind the scenes, thank you! We’re thrilled with the outcome. Your generosity makes a lasting impact. All for a great cause!

Auction Items Generously Donated:

LOT 1️⃣ International Cricket – Hospitality & Networking Experience Day for Two
Donated by: Northern Districts Cricket Association.

LOT 2️⃣ Sid Going Signed & Framed Shirt
Donated by: Joey Yovich

LOT 3️⃣ Crowe & Williamson Signed & Framed Portrait. Donated by: Joey Yovich.

LOT 4️⃣ Derren Witcombe Signed 2005 British & Irish Lions Tour Match Boots. Donated by: ReSport Charitable Trust Ambassador Derren Witcombe.

LOT 5️⃣ Brian Lara Signed Bat. Donated by: Joey Yovich.

LOT 6️⃣ Shaun Johnson Signed 2025 Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash T20 Cricket Boots. Donated by: ReSport Charitable Trust Ambassador Lou Vincent.

LOT 7️⃣ Kauri Creek Glamping Experience plus an All Blacks Experience & Eden Park Tour. Donated by: Karma Butler & Mark Haines, All Blacks Experience & Eden Park Stadium (on behalf of ReSport Charitable Trust)

LOT 8️⃣ Dennis Lillee Signed & Framed Memorabilia. Donated by: Joey Yovich.

LOT 9️⃣ Golf Day with Ken Rutherford, Grant McCallum & Andrew Golightly. Donated by: Cobham Cricket Club.

LOT 1️⃣0️⃣ Guinness World Record – One-of-a-Kind Golf & Sporting Memorabilia. Donated by: ReSport Charitable Trust.

Raffle Prize (Value $2,500):
Stay & Play Golf for Two Couples – Bay of Islands Escape. Generously donated by Riki Kinnaird & Anton Haagh, The Duke of Marlborough Hotel.

A special acknowledgement to local lad Callum Searle, owner of FRAME IT, for his charitable support and professional, custom, innovative framing of several premium items.

13/02/2026

Here are a few more snapshots 📸 from the Beehive to the Boundary T20 fixture at Cobham Oval — a great day of cricket, connection and community. Thankyou to photographer Karen Maisey. 👍🏼

12/02/2026

The inaugural Beehive to the Boundary T20 match was played in front of a strong crowd on the hallowed turf of Cobham Oval last week as part of the events and festivities leading into Waitangi Weekend.

A strong Cobham XI, featuring former BLACKCAPS and first-class players, took on a NZ Parliamentary XI – aka the Black Benchers, representing a broad cross-section of parties in conjunction with the Parliamentary Sports Trust. The line-up included Hon. James Meager MP (National), Hon. Dr Shane Reti MP (National), Sam Uffindell MP (National), Greg O'Connor - MP (Labour), Steve Abel MP (Greens), Scott Willis MP (Greens) and Cam Luxton MP (ACT), alongside three promising Northland development cricketers: Josh Laing, Blake Beardsell, and Sanchit Chopra. Both teams were competing for the prestigious first staging of the Lord Cobham Cup.

Following the fundraising luncheon and the inaugural parliamentary netball fixture between the NZ Parliamentary Ferns (Parly Ferns) and the Northern Kauri, with the Kauri taking the honours 26–15, play began in the afternoon, with Hon. James Meager MP winning the toss for the Black Benchers and electing to bowl.

Cobham openers Lou Vincent (22) and skipper Joey Yovich (34*retired) laid a strong platform. They were well supported by Duane Hunter (25), Robert Dunne (19*), and Dion Nash (12), helping Cobham post 144/6 from their 20 overs on a tiring surface.

For the NZ Parliamentary XI, Steve Abel MP was the pick of the bowlers, returning 2–18 from three overs, while promising Northland development player Josh Laing picked up 1–22 from his four overs. Greg O’Connor MP, alongside Abel, delivered testing spells suited to the conditions. Skipper Meager marshalled his side with smart field placements, highlighted by a direct-hit run-out from Hon. Dr Shane Reti and a brilliant running catch in the deep from Shane Reynolds to dismiss the dangerous James Marshall. All Parliamentary bowlers and fielders did themselves proud, many experiencing an international-standard venue for the first time.

In response, the NZ Parliamentary XI made a cautious start but were challenged early by the new-ball pairing of former BLACKCAP captain Dion Nash (1–7 from three overs) and crafty left-armer from Seddon Cricket Club, Kent Currie (1–28 from three). Wildcard Ben Strang provided resistance with 33* retired and Northland senior men’s top order batsman Sonu Chopra added 18 runs, finishing with respectable chasing total of 92/8 from their 20 overs.

The Cobham wickets were shared across the attack, with contributions from Nash, Currie, Kevin Forde, Daniel Robinson, Robert Dunne and James Marshall. Former Northland rugby representative Tim Henwood impressed with 2–5 from three overs, while former BLACKCAP and wicket keeper batsman Tony Blain took the opportunity with the ball to bowl with composure and later took a sharp catch in the field in a very nonchalant manner.

The day was played in true kindred spirit and special credit is due to the NZ Parliamentary players for supporting the event and raising funds for a great cause, the ReSport Charitable Trust, in line with Cobham’s community mandate and purpose. A strong crowd gathered in the Cobham Oval clubrooms for post-match presentations, where Cobham Cricket Club were awarded the Lord Cobham Cup as inaugural winners.

The Kaumatua Energy Players of the Match were Joey Yovich (Cobham CC) and from the NZ Parliamentary XI Steve Abel (bowling) and Ben Strang (batting). The Spirit of Cricket Award, presented by skipper, the Hon. James Meager and supplied by Spirits NZ, also went to Cobham skipper Joey Yovich.

A big thank you to Kookaburra NZ (Flynn Goodley-Hollister) for providing the gear for the day, team managers Brett Robinson and Craig Presland, liaison Don Nelson, officials Ross Kneebone and Heather Deane and scorer Zac Laing. These types of initiatives and events cannot happen without invaluable support. A huge thank you to our overall event partners ANZ, New World Regent, Whangarei and New World Onerahi, PAK'nSAVE Whangarei and Lion NZ.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this inaugural event a fun and enjoyable occasion, hosting our parliamentarians ahead of Waitangi Weekend was certainly a special one for the Cobham Cricket Club.

Scorecard:

Cobham CC – 144/6 (20 overs)
J. Yovich 34* (retired), D. Hunter 25, L. Vincent 22, R. Dunne 19*, D. Nash 12
S. Abel 2–18 (3), J. Laing 1–22 (4), G. O’Connor 1–33 (3)

NZ Parliamentary XI – 92/8 (20 overs)
B. Strang 33* (retired), S. Chopra 18
T. Henwood 2–5 (3), J. Marshall 1–3 (1), K. Forde 1–5 (2), R. Dunne 1–5 (2), D. Nash 1–7 (3), D. Robinson 1–16 (2), K. Currie 1–28 (3

Photo 📸 credits to Karen Maisey. Thank you Karen.

09/02/2026

Who says politics and sport don’t mix? That certainly wasn’t the case last week when Cobham Cricket Club, in collaboration with the New Zealand Parliamentary Sports Trust, hosted our parliamentary guests ahead of Waitangi Weekend in a celebration of community sport, connection, networking and true kindred spirit.

The inaugural initiative was led by Hon. James Meager MP alongside Cobham CC member and ReSport Charitable Trust co-founder Joey Yovich.

The programme began with a netball fixture at Te Ora Hou in Tikipunga, delivered by Whangarei Netball Centre Operations Lead Kelly Boase. The Northern Kauri Districts side faced the NZ Parliamentary Ferns (the Parly Ferns), captained by Hon. Barbara Edmonds (Labour) and featuring Hon. Karen Chhour (ACT), Hon. Nicole McKee (ACT) and Catherine Wedd (National).

Following a welcome for dignitaries, the match was played in a vibrant, positive atmosphere, with Northern Kauri Districts claiming the win. Thanks must go to Suzanne Yee (Parliament Relationship Manager), Connie Giquel (Principal Advisor Government Services) and Hon. Barbara Edmonds for their coordination. Post-match presentations were held at the Judge House of Ale to round out a fantastic start to proceedings.

Attention then shifted to the Cobham Oval Pavilion for the From the Beehive to the Basin fundraising luncheon. MC Kent Currie (Lead for Seddon Cricket Clubset the tone in true kindred style, uniting the room with the national anthem sung by Hayley Westenra.

The function was sold out and strongly supported by politicians, councillors and leaders from across the corporate, public and private sectors, as well as sporting identities from multiple codes, seated at tables named in honour of iconic Northland cricketers from years gone by. Former BLACKCAPS Ken Rutherford and Tony Blain were guest speakers, expertly interviewed by Douglas Golightly, before a live auction led by one of Australasia’s best auctioneers, Harcourts’ Mark McGoldrick. Our sincere thanks also go to the individuals and organisations who generously donated quality auction items in support.

To cap the day, a T20 fixture was played at the home of Northland cricket, Cobham Oval, between a Cobham XI, featuring several former BLACKCAPS and first-class players and the NZ Parliamentary XI, the Black Benchers.

The parliamentary side was captained by Hon. James Meager (National) and included Hon. Dr Shane Reti MP (National), Sam Uffindell MP (National), Greg O'Connor MP (Labour), Steve Abel (Greens), Scott Willis (Greens), and Cam Luxton (ACT), representing a broad cross-section of parties. They were joined by three of Northland’s promising young cricketers, Josh Laing, Blake Beardsell and Sonu Chopra. Cobham claimed the honours, securing the inaugural Lord Cobham Cup.

A massive thank you to the priority partners who made the event possible: ANZ, PAK’nSAVE Whangarei, New World Regent and Onerahi, and Lion NZ, along with Player of the Day sponsor Kaumatua Energy and Kookaburra NZ who supplied the playing equipement for both teams. More than $50,000 was raised, with proceeds supporting the Northland-based ReSport Charitable Trust and Cobham Cricket Club’s mandate to grow junior and youth cricket across the region.

Special thanks to the many volunteers, including Cobham CC President Andrew Golightly, Club Captain Sam Walker, ReSport Project Coordinator Sharon Gibson and advocates Jodie Hannam and Suzy Poole, who were magnificent in driving raffle sales for The Duke of Marlborough, Russell experience. We also extend our thanks to all officials (Heather Deane & Ross Kneebone), managers (Brett Robinson & Craig Presland), team liaisons (Don Nelson), Kookaburra NZ representative (Flynn Goodley-Holister), scorer (Zac Laing) and supporters who contributed throughout the day’s events.

Please find attached images from the fundraising luncheon, expertly captured by photographer Karen Maisey, thank you, Karen.

Keep an eye out for further photos from the netball and cricket fixtures to follow. 📸

07/02/2026

👍🏼👍🏼🏏🏏⭐️⭐️

05/02/2026

A very special and proud day for Cobham Cricket Club yesterday as we hosted the inaugural From the Beehive to the Boundary event 🏏🏐

The day featured netball and cricket fixtures played throughout, followed by the famous Cobham luncheon, with our clubrooms packed to capacity. We were honoured to welcome politicians (representing the NZ Parlimentary Sports Trust), community leaders, business leaders, media, former players, and sporting identities — a who’s who from across the region and beyond.

The scene was expertly set in true kindred spirit by MC Kent Currie from the Seddon Cricket Club who introduced none other than the voice of reason, Hayley Westenra. As the capacity crowd stood for the National Anthem, there was a powerful sense of connection and unity as we headed into the Waitangi Weekend celebrations.

A taste of what’s to come — pics from the days event will be shared soon 📸