Jess Smithurst starred for Derby university women’s firsts as they put relegation behind them to beat Cambridge firsts.
Smithurst opened the scoring at Kedleston Road as the hosts dominated a 2-1 victory in their final game in Midlands 1A.
Derby looked threatening despite a slow start to the game and Emily Brett had the first chance, her effort beaten away after a solo run on 21 minutes.
Smithurst then took centre stage volleying home a superb Ella Brennan cross to give Derby the lead on 29 minutes.
With five minutes to go until half-time the hosts had another two big chances.
A Smithurst corner was floated in towards Hannah Sparkes who climbed high but headed narrowly wide.
Brennan then played an excellent ball through again which found Smithurst but her attempted lob went over the bar.
With the score narrowly poised the visitors looked to get back into it early in the second half but were unable to break through.
Derby soon had a two-goal advantage on 56 minutes with Brett coolly finding the bottom right despite the efforts of goalkeeper Sophie Perret.
With 20 minutes to play Cambridge started posing a threat with both Julie Arthur-Krebs and Milla Martinez-Groom denied by Millie Smith in the Derby net.
The visitors did get one back as Elin Greif finished from close range on 82 minutes to set up a nervy finish.
Derby end their British Universities and Colleges Sport season with a win which will give them some positivity heading into next season despite their relegation.
