Border Reiver and the game

So finally the Border Reiver show arrived. It was an early start to get to the club and pack up everything we needed for the game. Double checked we had everything, even took along some glue, just in case of any emergency repairs that may need to be undertaken on arrival. When we checked in we had a good location on the left near Colonel Bills and Galloping Major. The table was quickly set up then realised a road and junction were in the wrong place and needed moving further to the right. With most of the club members arriving on time we were all set with 10 minutes to spare before the doors opened to the public.

All ready to go

Our only real issue was our table that was provided was 6ft wide, I had only planned for 5ft, but we managed. It did give an added bonus with plenty of room to deploy the troops, especially on the Parlaimentarian side.

Once the doors opened I found myself in the role of spokesperson so I kind of lost track of the game and probably didn't take anywhere near enough photos. Thankfully we had plenty of visitors to the table and many conversations about the battle, the figures, asking to take photos of the game  and discussions around the rules. I hope I didn't miss any visitors to the table, but I know my throat is rather sore from all the chatting. Below are the few photos I did manage.

All in a very good day. From what I can recall of the actual game. Cromwell fell at the hand of Prince Rupert, who despite the disparity in numbers was giving the Roundhead and Scottish left flank a bit of a going over. Over on the other flank Goring and Fairfax had pretty much fought each other to a standstill. The infantry in the centre were getting heavily involved in a musketry with duel with honours about even. So we called the game to a draw.

I'd like to thank Mitch, Neil G, Neil B, Sean, Thom and Robbo for helping to run the game. Would have been a nightmare without them. Was it worth it? in the end yes as it was great to see a year's work come to fruition. Now to rest up for a couple of weeks while we make plans for next year's game, someone else ca take the lead on that one. 

More prep and other things

As the Marston Moor game draws closer as I started thinking about a couple of fields around the 2 villages to try and break up the table a little. Previously I've just used some shaped pieces of felt of various colours which have worked fine. So as a trial I took a couple of the spare pieces I had, a dark brown and lime green to try and 'jazz' them up. I first tried to added watered down paint in various shades of either green or brown but was not really happy with the outcome. I then remembered some old mixed flock I had and decided to give each field a very rough coat of PVA glue then covered in flock. I wasn't too bothered if some areas were missed. Once the excess was shaken off i then added some static grass around the edges with a few tufts scattered across the fields. The results are in. Not 100% sure of them, but better than just plain sheets of felt.

Think I prefer the one on the dark brown base.  Not sure if I will have time to get the other pieces done as they are at the club. While these were drying I finished off the last 4 pieces of hedge that I think I need. Done pretty much the same as the last batch.

The other bits I completed were the 20 dismounted dragoons for Simon and a 10mm Battlescale church which will come in handy for ACW/AWI games in the future.

Now just got a couple of civilians to finish before Saturday and the frame guns for Simon.

Last minute prep

With the Border Reiver show just a week away, I've frantically been doing some last minute preparation for the game. First up was a new order deck, printed, laminated and cut out as our current deck was looking a little sorry, I also did a few quick reference sheets to help speed up the game and keep it flowing. I also did a couple of sheets for the background of the battle, including a map. Thankfully Neil at the club obtained some display stands which can go at the end of the table.

As our last practice game was only on a 4 foot wide table and not 5 foot, I guess I might need a few more hedges. If I don't they will not go to waste. Just finished the first 4 pieces with another 4 tomorrow which will give another 4 foot. should be more than enough.

Now not game related but still on an ECW slant. I completed some mounted dragoons and some officers for Simon's Scottish contingent. Just got the dismounted troopers and some frame guns to do and they will be all complete.

I will be pleased to see the back of ECW figures. It's got me half tempted to sell the collection or part of it after the Marston Moor , just so I don't have to look at them again. Well another practice game on Thursday and pack everything up for the show.

More Covenanters for Simon

So finally another 2 regiments of Scots Covenanters completed for Simon. Thankfully not much left to do and I can get them posted off. First is the 4th and final regiment of foot.

Next up is enough figures for a regiment of Scots lancers and a Mounted commander.

So that just the dragoons, both foot and mounted, a couple of mounted officers and the frame guns. I hope to get these done in the next couple of weeks and then onto Romans.

What have I been painting?

I've been spending some time trying to clear the loose ends on various projects in between painting the Quar. With my current Quar all painted up I thought I better post these before my memory fades. First up was the last 4 gladiators that I had. There was a Murmillo, 3d printed by Mitch, 2 Secutors and a Thraex from Crusader miniatures.

This brings me up to 18 Gladiators, 4 lions and a bear. I think I have most of the more common types covered. Probably just 1 or 2 more to complete the collection. Next up was a few bits and pieces for my Afrika Corps to represent the 609th Flak battalion for the Tebega gap scenario. There is a Sdkfz 10/1 SP 20mm and a Sdkfz 7/1 SP Quad 20mm AA. There is also an additional Quad 20mm AA gun.

The last things I painted up were 3 Scots Covenanter regiments for Simon. I do have a fourth nearing completion. Then I can paint up the lancers and dragoons and get them all posted off.

I'll be so pleased when the last of the ECW figures are done. I can hopefully make a start on my Republican Romans.

Marston Moor Practice run

So as we get nearer to the Border Reiver show, it's just a month away. It was time for a practice run of the game. On Monday, Mitch and myself went down to the club to set the table up, we even got over the angst of Mitch not remembering where he had stored his figures. Visions of frantically painting more regiments was averted when he found them on Tuesday. So switching club night to Wednesday, 5 of us turned up to run through the game and rules. We took plenty of photos and not much of a battle report as that was not our focus.

In essence on the Parlaimentarian right wing, early moves were very historical with the Royalist horse giving them a bit of a hammering. Eventually the Parlaimentarians held their ground to prevent the wing from being turned. Over on the left though, the Parlaimentarian horse here giving the Royalist horse a bit of a bloody nose, driving them back. In the centre the musketry between the two infantry lines was pretty even when we had to call it a night. Think we managed to get through 8 or 9 turns in just over 2 hours. First the early set up photos provided by Mitch.

And now for my photos of some of the action. 

Fairfax's horse advance

Ashton's foot leading the attack on the Royalists

Thom (Newcastle) and Neil B (Leslie) ponder their next moves

The Parlaimentarian right wing about to come to grips with the Northern horse

Infantry closing in

Rupert and Cromwell's horse getting ready to engage

Scot's cavalry moving to support the left wing

A bloody fight in the lane

Those Scot's in the centre need to get a bloody move on!

The right wing became a brutal fight, advantage the Royalists

The infantry begin their musketry duel

Scot's slowly getting into position

Ashton and Mackworth's foot get down to business

Fighting in the centre begins to intensify

Photos from Neil B of the left wing

The left wing advancing

Parlaimentarian horse pressuring the Royalists

Crawford and Hamilton bring up the Eastern Association foot

Where we left it at the end of the night

Pretty happy with how the rules held up with the amount of figures on the table. We got a few things wrong initially with the charges, but quickly corrected that. We also need a few markers to identify who has advantage in combat after the first round as this quickly got lost due to the size of the game.