FINSTALL cycling star Jessica Varnish showed her credentials with the scalp of Australian Olympic champion Anna Meares at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

The 24-year-old defeated her close rival in the last 16 of the women’s sprint but her hopes of winning a medal were dashed in the last eight.

Varnish was up against Commonwealth Games champion Stephanie Morton in the quarter-finals and, despite a brave battle, bowed out by 2-0.

But the Bromsgrove rider will be pleased with her form, after setting a new personal best time of 10.804 seconds in qualifying.

In the women’s keirin, Varnish could not find her form from the sprint as she exited in the first round.

She was fourth in her heat as the top two riders progressed to the next phase.

Forced into the repechage, Varnish was second with only one rider going through to round two.

In the team sprint, Varnish and Vicky Williamson could only finish eighth after completing the course in 33.583 seconds.

The Great Britain Cycling Team finish the five-day championships 10th in the medal table with three silver medals.