Well, how did it go?
About as well as expected... Both sides behaved impeccably, and that was what saved me. I was very, very rusty. Positioning was poor, getting around the pitch was worse. There's no substitute for being out there doing it. In the gym, I'm certainly fitter now than when I was last refereeing, but it's very difficult to replicate what's required on the pitch in a gym.
Ankle (which took me out end of last season) held up well, but the ground was lovely and soft underfoot. I also broke and bought a pair of lightweight football boots, rather than my old front row clod hoppers, which certainly made quite a difference.
The match was a comprehensive win for OIs, 48 - 5. We had a late kick off as Kilburn still only had 10 5 minutes before the supposed kick off time, so we started at 2:10pm 14 vs 15, and had to have uncontested scrums. Kilburn couldn't field a trained front row - too many Aussies in the Kilburn side, perhaps?
I even had an assessor! Kinda forgot what one of those looked like, been best part of 2 years since I've seen one. I'd have preferred to die in obscurity after this match, but he was very understanding and positive. Just have to see how badly I get savaged in the report; god knows I'd deserve it... Definitely not a level 10 referee at the moment.
Still, hasn't made me not want to get back out there, and it can only go up from here. Onto the next one!
Chris
P.S. From being used to driving sometimes 1hr+ to get to a match, to claim £2.40 @ 30p/mile in expenses did make me laugh rather. Still, it bought me a pint in my local when I got home...
