For our regular weekly game this past Tuesday Phil and I had settled on an ECW game, for no better reason than the collection had not had an airing for a good while. Phil commanded the Royalists as Lord Rawnsley, myself the Parliamentary forces as Obadiah Bykleigh, gentleman, in the Battle of Shoal Hill Common. As you'd expect by now, a photomontage to carry you down into the action ~
The Royalist host makes its initial move, not that you'd have noticed unless you squinted!
The Parliamentary forces fare a little better and move forward, just a tad.
Prince Rupert's Foote lead one of the two Royalist formations forward. The second, seen in the distance, does not seem so keen to close with the foe!
Obadiah Bykleigh needs some Dutch Courage it seems. {He also might need his express sedan as he recovers from his jaunt to Newark!}
At least the Royalist left has finally started to shake off the lethargy which gripped it in the early stages.
On the Parliamentary left the first cavalry charge looks to be likely, though the odds favour the Parliamentary Horse.
As the action begins on the Parliamentary left the Foote surges forward seeking to form a battle line secured by terrain features on both flanks.
The Royalist response is disjointed at best, the dice are not being kind it seems!
On the Parliamentary right the regiments of Horse are seeking out a weak point with a plan to get behind the Royalist left flank!
The Horse clash on the Royalist right. Despite their earlier optimism the combat goes against the Parliamentary men. First blood to Lord Rawnsley!
In the centre the Parliamentary Foote have achieved their objective and form a solid wall of pike and shotte. A confident Obadiah feels secure almost in the front line!
More Parliamentary Horse are committed on the left flank in a bid to thwart the early Royalist success!
Parliamentary Dragoons have forced a path through the dense undergrowth and surprise the enemy foote with an unexpected sharp volley!
Supporting fire from the nearest Foote pours in on the flank as losses mount!
But Royalist morale is high despite the shock and loss, the Foote shake out into fighting lines and start to return the enemy's fire shot for shot!
In the centre a firefight is developing as regiments trade fire across the heath. Losses are not critical in the early exchanges, but slightly favour the cause of Parliament.
The Master Gunner directs the fire of the Parliamentary artillery. Each gun has ammunition only for three shots, so targets are best chosen with care.
On the Royalist right, neither foote nor Horse evidence any enthusiasm for closing with the enemy. {The Command Dice results are starring to be beyond poor for Phil} Parliamentary Horse are content to look threatening while the foote pour fire on the hesitant Royalists!
The Parliamentary Dragoons are beginning to suffer under fire from their opponents but the cling on, though in some Disorder.
A Blunder! Result? Advance for three Turns and if possible Charge the enemy! Forward Men!
Finally Lord Rawnsley's Whitecoats have got their act together and they advance with determination supported by the Oxford Foote.
Rawnsley urges the Bishop of Lichfield to exhort hesitant elements who seem lacking in martial vigour to advance on the enemy. He fails miserably to effect any change and departs hastily for his castle at Tong.
In the centre Royalist Foote continues to fire with little impact on their opposing Parliamentary foote!
The Royalist artillery has equally little effect despite the presence of their Master Gunner!
Having the worst of the musket exchanges in the centre Royalist morale begins to show weakness as foote units become Shaken.
Rupert's Bluecoats are Disordered and Shaken by losses and fall back in the face of the enemy. Rawnsley urges Talbot's Foote forward to fill the gap in his line.
The Dragoons are at breaking point but hold on valiantly distracting much needed troops from the main fight in the centre!
Royalist morale is starting to crumble as another regiment on their right flees. The Royalist Horse remains uncharacteristically hesitant to advance on the enemy, perhaps fearing the artillery to their front?
It's suddenly all too much for the Royalists to take! Morale crumbles away all along the front. Rawnsley sees that his men can take no more punishment and orders a general retreat, conserving what he may of his army.
A grand and entertaining game most memorable for what can only be described as the most abominable and sustained poor dice throws by Phil. He even 'did a George!' and changed his dice mid game. All to no effect!
When the 'dice gods' desert you there is nothing to be done we have learned to our cost down the years!
