White Coppice wicketkeeper Ant Dark has committed his future to the club after picking up two accolades at the MHA Northern Pyramid Cricket Competition end-of-season awards.
As well as collecting the Division 5 Wicketkeeping Award 2025 for his tally of 23 victims, including 18 catches, he was also selected for the team of the year for Divisions 4-7.
Speaking after collecting the award Dark said: “It means a lot to win something like this and represent White Coppice while doing so.
“From the moment I decided to step back into cricket I and my family were welcomed by everyone at the club.
“I was therefore so determined to repay back all that support I have had over the last year-and-a-half.
“I would like to thank everyone at this club from the first team to the Sunday team, everyone connected to the club made this happen.”
Dark, who is sponsored by Juno Sports and also scored three 50s in 2025, added: “To sum it up, I have played cricket for quite a while now.
“I have been almost everywhere playing cricket but it’s like I keep telling everyone, there is no place like White Coppice.
“At the age of 33, with everything I have been through, I have finally found my home! Up the Coppice.”
1st XI captain Jakes Smalley was one of a number of White Coppice players to attend the end-of-season awards.
He said: “I’m proud of Ant for the fact that he’s been such a key player on the field for me to lean on.
“He’s knowledgeable about cricket and he plays with his heart on his sleeve and will do anything for the club.
“He’s fitted into the Coppice family like a glove and we are very lucky to have him.”