Sussex referee under fire from Rob Andrew today re-assessed his performance at the summit of the Zurich Premiership and said: "I was happy with my performance."

Sean Davey believes he did all he could to keep a tetchy tussle betwen Newcastle and Harlequins flowing. Now the Christ's Hospital teacher and former Horsham player is ready to learn from the experience and pursue his goal of a place at the next world Cup.

Andrew, director of rugby at Newcastle, was in uncharitable mood, despite seeing his side edge past Quins 22-21 to go top of the Premiership.

He criticised Quins' spoiling tactics and added: "It was a shambles. By the second half I don't think the referee knew what he was doing."

Davey, however, is satisfied with his decisions and was in relaxed mood as he took charge of a junior game this week at Christ's Hospital, where he teaches rugby and is head of geography.

While Andrew grumbled, Quins were hardly patting the referee on the back either after being on the wrong end of two sin-binnings and a penalty try.

Davey, though, said: "I have been through the video. I thought it wasn't a bad game at all.

"It was a tense game which had to be refereed.

"I was very happy with it. The players were fine. It was a test for a referee in that the scores were close and I had to be on my game.

"I prefer top games, though, because the players are professionals.

"Sunday was tough but professionals will react if you tell them, for example, to be careful of the offside line because they don't want to give away penalties. "Occasionally you get games where they push to the limit and they know what they are doing but they will respond to your verbal as well.

"The top games are more flowing and you find the pressure comes from outside things rather than the players, such as from the crowd. There is more psychological pressure."

Davey has enjoyed a metoric rise since taking up the whistle six years ago.

His potential was spotted early and he was fast-tracked from a humble debut at Haywards Heath IIs to make his Premiership bow at Gloucester this time last year.

Several European and Premiership games have followed, including a 25-25 draw between Leicester and Newcastle last season.

He recalled with a laugh: "That was an excellent game and after it Rob Andrew thought I was the bees' kness. That shows how fickle things can be.

"I know Rob. We've had him down at the school doing coaching.

"What you've got to remember is that nobody will praise you all the time. You've just go to keep things in perspective.

"People get heated during a game. Then when they are asked by the media for their immediate reaction, they give exactly that, an immediate reaction.

"Once people have chilled out and looked at the video they think it was fair enough."

Davey's progress is an inspiration to all ambitious Sussex referees, though he chose to go out of the county and join the London Society, believing it offered a better chance of rapid progress.

Having just turned 40, he could have ten more years at the top but admits he faces tough competition from his RFU colleagues for a World Cup place.

He added: "That's one target but my real target is to maintain my Premiership standard and keep proving myself in Europe.

"I'm enjoying it. It's going well and I get good support from Christ's Hospital. It's beneficial to the school as well because I'm coming back with new ideas for training drills and I can coach the referees at school."

Davey is back in Premiership action this weekend when he controls Saracens' home game with Leeds.