I have spent the past several days in Rome at the head of a rather wonderful cricket team, the Stonyhurst Gentlemen’s XI. The team is comprised of current and recent pupils, with eight of our 11 players being schoolboys between the ages of 13 and 15. A young but mighty side. It was a glorious few days – a whirlwind of experiences which will stay with the boys for a lifetime. Our tour got underway with a reception hosted by Sally Axworthy, the British Ambassador to the Holy See. The boys looked very sharp in their new blue blazers and new tour ties. All very Brideshead. Two cracking Twenty20 cricket fixtures followed, one on Thursday against the Roma Capannelle Cricket Club, Rome’s senior local team, and our main match on Friday against the Vatican (St Peter’s) XI. In the dizzying temperatures of heatwave Rome, the first laurels of victory were awarded to Stonyhurst. Our young Corinthians restricted their Roman hosts to 136-4, with admirable seam bowling from Alex, Year 10, the third member of his family to board at Stonyhurst from Zimbabwe. With the match finally poised at two overs remaining, in came James, year nine, formerly head boy of our prep school, who faced just six balls but smote a mighty six over mid-wicket among other lusty blows to ease the nerves and set up a two-wicket victory with three balls to spare. His innings was magnificent. Against the Vatican (St Peter’s) XI, the laurels were won by our hosts. Stonyhurst batted first, sending in Henri, a Year Nine pupil who also plays for Lancashire. Former 1st XI captain Rhys scored a pugnacious 49 which saw Stonyhurst to 133-4. The Vatican side fielded a very strong team of seminarians, and their skill with bat and ball carried the day. They were deserving of victory, a wonderful partnership between Fr Kiran and Fr Shehan saw the St Peter’s side reach 134-2 with several overs to spare. They have now beaten us at home and abroad.