Fiona Shuttleworth hails hard-earned win for Cambridge University in Women's Varsity Match

Fiona Shuttleworth struggled to put into words what it meant to captain Cambridge University to an 8-5 win over Oxford in the 33rd Women’s Varsity Match.

The open-side flanker had ‘emptied the tank’ as the Light Blues secured a dramatic late victory thanks to Coreen Grant’s try.

And there was no doubt in the veterinary student’s mind that they would emerge victorious, even with the clock ticking.

“Every single one of us gave everything,” said Shuttleworth. “What we’re so good at is keeping our head up and keeping belief in ourselves.

“Our set piece was strong the entire time so we knew we could use that as a platform and we did.

“We worked hard for it. We earned that win, we really did. We were dominant from the off, but we were slightly unlucky as they shut us down well.

“We handled the pressure. It was a huge fight and a huge battle.”

Shuttleworth, who had the prompts ‘eyes and thighs’ and ‘belief’ written on her hands during the game, added: “It was a battle and we put on a great display of women’s rugby, both sides.”

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