A hat-trick from Liz Ashcroft ensured Cambridge’s women defeated Oxford by 3 goals to 1 in the Varsity match at The Hive.

Having lost last year's match on penalties, it was the Light Blues who emerged victorious after a thrilling fixture.

Despite a cautious opening period with few chances of note for either side, the game erupted into life in the second half following two goals in the space of two minutes from Ashcroft.

The Christ’s forward was perhaps slightly fortunate with the opener, a cross-cum-shot from the edge of the box which deceived Oxford goalkeeper, Anna Garcia to beat her at the far post. However there was nothing lucky about the second, a well taken shot from 20 yards out to double Cambridge’s lead and her tally for the afternoon.

Oxford responded well to falling two behind however, with second half substitute Monique Pedroza proving tricky for Cambridge’s defenders to deal with.

Pedroza’s persistence eventually paid off as she won a penalty after skipping around the oncoming Cambridge goalkeeper, Laura Bleehen, before being brought down in the box by a last ditch tackle from Cambridge centre-back Linnea Gradin. She duly dispatched the spot kick to set up a tense final half hour.

However, it was not to be for Oxford, as the Dark Blues were penalised for handling the ball in the box, with Ashcroft stepping up to score her third goal of the game and put the tie beyond doubt.

The result caps off a season of dominance for Cambridge’s women over Oxford, with a thumping 5-1 win in the league perhaps the season’s highpoint before this afternoon.