The Blue Dolphins Cricket Club (BDCC) of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) made history on Sunday, 14th September 2025, when they travelled to St. Maarten for their first-ever official match. Their opponents: the St. Maarten Under-17 team.
Sent in to bat first, the young Dolphins put 119 runs on the board in 31 overs. There were solid contributions across the order, with Myles Barrow (10), Denari Neckles (16), and Okeif Byron (12) getting into double figures. But it was number ten batsman, Wilfred Richardson-Vasquez, who stood tall with the top score of 20.
In reply, St. Maarten made light work of the chase, reaching the target of 120 with nine wickets to spare. The lone breakthrough for Anguilla came from Clayton Thomas, who claimed the only wicket of the day for BDCC.
On paper, the scorecard might suggest a one-sided contest. In reality, the performance was a significant step forward for the Blue Dolphins. None of the players had ever played a proper match of 20 overs or more, yet they lasted 31 overs in their very first outing. The openers, D’dray Neckles and Barrow, laid a steady foundation with a 30-run stand. Denari Neckles chipped in with a positive 16, before inexperience caught up with the middle order and the team suddenly slumped to 71 for 8.
That’s when Byron and Richardson-Vasquez dug in, showing fight and maturity to put on a 40-run partnership that lifted the total beyond 100 — a milestone in itself for this young team.
This match was just the beginning. It’s the first of a three-game series, with St. Maarten set to visit Anguilla on 28th September. That gives BDCC a couple of weeks to regroup, train, and sharpen their skills. The hope is that with the right support, the boys will only get stronger.
The club has already received plenty of encouragement. Management extended thanks to the Department of Education for sponsoring the team’s travel expenses and for securing visa waivers for two players and two teachers. Gratitude also went to Anguilla Air and Sea Port Authority (AASPA) for waiving departure taxes, MAICO for a financial contribution, and the parents, siblings, and supporters who made the trip to cheer on the youngsters. ALHCS Principal Dr. Trevor Hodge was also commended for his unwavering support of the club.
Coach William Bourne, coach Rishi Singh, and Cricket St. Maarten were warmly thanked for organising the fixture and for the hospitality extended to the Anguillian contingent throughout their stay.
Mrs. Deoranie Bharrat, speaking on behalf of the management, said she was proud of the team’s effort and confident that with more training and exposure, the Dolphins will grow into a formidable unit. She issued a call for greater community support, particularly for the preparation of the school’s cricket pitch.
“Our players do not get to practise on a proper pitch, and that is needed urgently,” she said. “We are thinking of Anguilla’s future in cricket, so we need to support our youths in every way that we can.”
The result may not have gone Anguilla’s way, but for the Blue Dolphins, this was no ordinary match. It was the start of something bigger — a small step today that could one day mean great strides for the island’s cricketing future.
By Janissa Fleming
