Battle of Testiculum.

Because Brian and Malcolm couldn't make it,I had to rejig and rethink the planned game,but it turned out to be a real classic!

 One move into the game-Dave and Graham were the Barbarian commanders,whilst Paul and I took control(?) of the Romans.

This is just one of Dave's furious attacks on the village-it changed hands that many times I lost count-thrilling stuff!

My ships c/w marines ready to disembark behind Graham's lines-curiously he put a unit of cavalry to stop them!

The battle for the village continues(top photo) my front line of cohorts formed "testudo" to meet the charge of Graham's warbands(bottom photo) to negate their javelins-this was successful,but he beat me in the ensuing melee!!

Top shows my cohorts in a tremendous melee(and slowly gaining the upper hand) bottom shows the village,once again changing hands,with Paul about to send in his cohorts to bolster the auxiliary troops-wargaming at its best!!

Graham's cavalry about to be sent packing-the gap was two units wide,so perhaps he should have put two warbands to try and stop the marines-hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Top photo shows yet another incursion by Dave,into the village,met by Paul's cohorts,bottom photo shows my front line cohorts,having forced Graham's warbands to retire(it's good being retired!) reforming ready to advance.

In desperation,Dave has thrown in his reserve troops,but is beaten by Paul's reserves-absolutely marvellous stuff-this could herald the end of this cracking game!

Two shots from the Barbarian side of the table-this was probably the best Ancients game(from the excitement point of view) that we've had for a long time,so well done to us all-a lie down in a darkened room with a glass of rum was called for,and delivered!! As Graham and Paul aren't available next week ,and I will be out most of Sunday,we might not be playing,but you never know!!

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.