A Wisbech select XV opened their pre-season campaign with a 21-0 win over Peterborough to retain the esteemed Mayle Cup.

Named after Wisbech butcher P.D. Mayle, a well-known all-round sportsman who donated the trophy for an annual match between Wisbech Rugby Club and Peterborough Rugby Club.

The first match played in Wisbech Park back in 1948 continued until 1970 when it was "forgotten about". However it was briefly resurrected in the 1992/93 season, won by Peterborough, before it was sadly "forgotten about" again.  It was resurrected in 2023 and won by Wisbech.

Scoring three converted tries secured a brilliant away victory for the side that featured debutant looshead prop Ryan Duffy, three returning players, Jake Jackson, Will Boreham, and Kean Kemsley after a year’s absence, as well as veteran forward Richard Cavil who seamless made his return after a six-year break.

After a 20-minute arm wrestle, the Men in Red started broke the deadlock with a try from Solomon Prestidge off the back of a scrum, skipper Jack Malkin converted to give the away side a 0-7 lead.

On the stroke of half time Wisbech added to their tally with another try. A backs move straight of the training pitch saw Sam Anderson cutting through the gap without a finger laid on him to touch down, Malkin again converted to solidify the away side’s position. 

Peterborough started the second half hungry for victory and their intensity tested the Men in Reds’ defence.

The home side continued to dominate in spells while Wisbech defended resolutely.

Peterborough camped on the Wisbech try line looked sure to have broken the stubborn Wisbech defence but a fine turnover from the Men in Red allowed them to reclaim the ball and clear their lines just short of the half way line.

Wisbech secured the lineout as the forwards worked their into the Peterborough half, Jack Malkin then produced a piece of magic when he broke through the home side’s line beating three defenders  to touch the ball down which he dully converted.

The home side where not going down without a fight and continued to dominate in spells while Wisbech defended resolutely.

Wisbech held on to the final whistle ending the match and giving the away side a hard-fought 21- 0 win.

Wisbech Man of the Match was awarded to Solomon Prestidge.