The Game That Was-Festive Cheer!.

Last night,Myself,Graham,Brian,Paul and Malcom(our new recruit) had a thrilling Ancients game,pitting Romans against Barbarians.

 Top photo shows the scenario,bottom shows the table layout.Paul and Graham were the Roman commanders,Malcom was the Fort commander,whilst Brian and I were the Barbarian commanders.

It was action all the way,from move number one-Brian and I turned our warbands to face the Legions,and Malcom retired(it's good being retired!) his troops into the Fort-but not before I managed to catch one cohort in the rear,and a mighty melee ensued-cracking stuff!

My warbands hurtled towards their little lead destinies,and Brian's did the same(background)-as Paul moved his Legion into the famous "chequer board formation" giving mutual support and flexibility to his cohorts.

Before Graham's legion contacted Brian's warbands,a cavalry battle developed in the centre-this would prove crucial to whoever won,as it would split the legions if the Barbarians won,and split the Barbarians if the Romans won-wonderful wargaming!

Graham's legion and Brians warbands edge warily towards each other in this shot-they would eventually have to clash,but not before Brian sustained a "paper cut" from one of his bases,from which followed such a show of hysteria that sank us all into fits of laughter-pull yourself together man!!!!

This shows the inevitable mass brawl-absolutely marvellous stuff-the Romans suffered in the initial melees,but eventually came through to push my warbands back,and those of Brian's that he wished to get involved,suffered the same fate!-meanwhile,Malcom was beating his opposition(two warbands) left to keep him occupied,and pushed into my rear(steady!!) with his cavalry-well done mate!

Top photo shows that Brian's warbands(well some of them!) decided to get involved at last,and bottom shows Malcom looking rather smug(as well he should!) having beaten both Brian and I outside the Fort-nice tie Brian!(HO,HO,HO.)

Top shows the "Victors" bottom shows Brian asking for a draw-refused of course!

This was an excellent last- of- the -year game,full of the usual rude banter,bad language and lots and lots of laughs-long may it continue.We would like to wish all of you out there,a very merry Christmas and a happy and Corvid free new year-roll on 2022.