NETBALL: The umpire strikes back - top award for Davidson (From Swindon Advertiser)

NETBALL: The umpire strikes back - top award for Davidson

6:00am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

ABBEY Meads’ marvellous March continued as Christina Davidson became Wiltshire’s first Europe A award umpire.

Davidson, an Abbey Meads player since 2005, made the grade by taking charge of the Premier League 3 clash between Cumberland and Norfolk United under the strict gaze of a trio of award assessors.

Despite some anxious moments, the 38-year-old passed the test.

She said: “After making sure the expected pre-match protocols were completed my nerves still hadn’t left me.

“The match started and so did my panic levels but I managed to keep it together and got through the first quarter. “Being watched by three assessors was intense but after the lead assessor advised me at the interval to just relax as I was doing fine this helped me get through the second quarter with more confidence.

“Coming into the third, I did start to relax and it all became a lot easier - I actually enjoyed umpiring the second half. “I was elated that the match was finished but there was a long wait for the assessors to deliberate their result so my nerves started to return. “Once in front of the assessors I heard the words ‘you have passed’.

“Of course there are still areas to work on, which is always the case.

“Once on my own I had a few bounces to celebrate.”

Davidson will be allocated divisional assignments for next season after a May assessment event but her qualification allows her to officiate up to Premier 1 level, with the potential to take charge of Superleague matches the ultimate goal.

Her achievement is another reason for Abbey Meads to celebrate after the club’s A team were crowned Division One champions for the fourth successive season.

The squad will now focus on the regional play-offs and hope that this is their year to make it through to the higher league.

The champs underlined their supremacy with a 58-33 win over Raychem A on Saturday.

Moredon A remain on course for runners-up medals after beating Nationwide A 48-32, while Park A stay third after grinding out a 38-33 win over Lawn A.

Burmah A continue to prop up the rest after a convincing 51-28 defeat at Delta Reds’ hands.

Abbey Meads also top the standings in Division Two, but the inactive leaders had their advantage cut to three points as Moredon B beat Nationwide B 48-24.

Raychem B look assured of a top-four finish after beating Pinehurst C 45-37.

At the foot of the table, Lawn C moved clear of Park B, courtesy of a 39-34 win over Burmah B.

The race for the Division Three crown remains gripping, with one point separating the top three. Fairford B lead the pack after a low scoring 29-14 win over Ferndale A.

Goals were also in short supply for second-placed Abbey C, but they still saw off Raychem D 23-15.

Croft B cling to third after a tough 32-30 win over Abbey D.