24th August Games

 It was a dark and stormy night - so nobody turned up!

Actually, I was able to run the planned Wings of War WW1 aerial game for Steves S & H, Bob and myself, and Rob was also playing a smaller than planned game of Necromunda a few tables away, so I was able to have a quick chat with him. Mark wasn't with us as his wife (Rob's mum) is in hospital following planned surgery. I'm sure all members will join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.

The WW1 game involved a pair of Fokker EIII against a pair of Morane Saulnier N, so it was unusually for the period a totally monoplane affair. Honours were about even over the two games we played (I won the first and was shot down in the second) and a good time was had by all.

Next week, I'll run a WW2 aerial game using the Angel's 20 rules. Not sure what else might be on offer due to low turnout this week, but at least the weather is a bit cooler after the rain today.

See yer soon

Neil

17th August Games

We were all in the main hall last night; quite a communal really. Steves H & S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K played Aliens again, I didn't have a lot of time to follow the action as Mike, Steve B, Bob and I were set to try out the Wars of the Roses forces in Lion Rampant prior to a game at my place this weekend. Rob was playing Warcry but I didn't have a chance to see him - sorry Rob.

   The Wars of the Roses game was loosely based on the deployments at Towton on the 28th March 1461; the weather was lousy on the day, hence the snow cloth. Mike was running the Lancastrians with Steve B as Sir Anthony Trollope and Mike as the Duke of Somerset. I ran the Yorkists as Edward IV/Lords Hastings and Howard, and Bob played Viscount Bourchier. This was his first game of LR so the command was small but important, fighting off Mike's flank attack so effectively that Somerset fled the field! I was left to wear down the advancing Lancastrians - difficult as they consisted almost entirely of dismounted men at arms and lesser gentry, who were well protected and played an upgrade that effectively meant they never tested for morale despite taking some casualties. The fight was going reasonably well up until my last move - the dice Gods deserted me for three consecutive morale tests which all rolled a double 1 . . .

That said the game was fun; we were using a mix of the original rules plus some of the new bits from the 2rnd edition which is now available, and in my view, much enhanced. We'll know after Sunday's game.

Next week; I've been asked to run a WW1 aerial game using Wings of Glory.

See yer soon

Neil

10th August Games

We were spread far and wide last night; Bob ran a boardgame based on the Aliens movie for the benefit of Steve S, Andy P, Dave K and Steve H; I believe it didn't go well for the Marines . . . 

Rob and Alan were engaged in Warcry games with varying degrees of success.

I had a chance to join Mike and Steve B in a Lion Rampant game, but using Mike's collection of Late Roman and Goths in a game based loosely on the Battle of Adrianople which the original Roman Commander lost in spectacular style. I was offered command of the Roman forces and discovered that after last week's dice disaster my mojo put in an appearance again. Suffice to say the legions and their auxilia moved forward in impressive style, holding off Gothic cavalry attacks on both wings and pushing their infantry back by the time that time ran out. I was impressed by the way massed 15mm figures on a single base add to the impression of unit size; I'm considering changing my name to Marcus Decimus Meridius in the meantime.

Next week Bob has been asked to run the Aliens game again. Mike and I intend to run a Wars of the Roses game loosely based on Towton 1461 ahead of a weekend game at my place shortly thereafter. I've finished a massive refurbishment of my old collection in advance of this game and am looking forward to seeing them on the table again.

See yer soon

Neil

3rd August Games

 'Twas a hot, sticky and noisy night at Wayland yesterday. Andy P, Mark, Paul, Dave K, Steve S and Bob played Zombicide and were mostly killed. Alan and Rob were playing in separate Warcry games, and were both alive when I checked in. 

Steve H and I settled in for some Angels 20 action, this time over Northern France in 1944. I took two Spitfire Mk IX and two Typhoons on a ground strafing mission, while Steve took four Fw190's to prevent this. I lost the lot in about three moves. We started again with two Spitfires and two 190's apiece; I lost the pair of them in equally short order. I then decided that a losing streak should not be indulged and generously granted Steve the victory.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Next week, Bob has offered to run an Aliens game. Mike has a Lion Rampant game planned around his Late Roman forces which I fancy a go at. I'll bring a couple of board games as backup; BattleCry seems like a good idea.

See yer soon

Neil

27th July Games

 A very active night yesterday; Steve S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K played Mars Attacks! (I believe the Martians lost).

Mike and Steve B took Lion Rampant to the Holy Land for a Crusader based game. Mike's Saracens went up against a force of Knights Templar and St. Lazarus (the latter formed from members of the Military Orders who had developed leprosy but were still capable of active service before the symptoms got too debilitating) both with supporting serjeants and promptly lost two games - standard really.

Steve H and I played Battletech as a three hander with each attempting to collect a data crystal. I came a poor third as my mech took so much damage it exploded, but Paul retried the crystal.

Rob was playing Warcry but I wasn't able to spend much time with this game.

Next week, I'll run another Angels 20 with the new mat; debating whether to continue the Eastern Front theme or try something over France.

Other options currently include Zombicide or The Walking Dead . . . do I sense a theme here?

See yer soon

Neil

20th July Games

 We were a bit scattered last night. Steve S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K played Zombicide, and Rob was involved with a Warcry game in the bar area.

Whilst I ran an Angels 20 game for Steve H, Matt and myself in the main hall. Having recently recieved a new dedicated cloth with the correct hex grid for the game from Tiny Wargames, it seemed appropriate to christen the cloth with an Eastern Front scenario. Steve and Matt 'flew' a bf109-E apiece while I ran a brace of Yak 1's. Losses mounted fairly quickly for both sides (sorry Matt!), then Steve and I settled to a real dogfight, with lots of manoeuvring and snap shots - most of which missed. Eventually we found ourselves in a head on pass and my dice finally came good and Steve was shot down. Brilliant game and the new cloth really added a dimension to the game.

Next week, we're planning a Battletech game and Steve S wants to run a Mars Attacks! game.

See yer soon

Neil

13th July Games

 Steve S, Mark, Paul, Dave K and Andy P were engaged in a Zombicide game last night; no details but I believe all survived.

Steve H and I ran through a convoy scenario for my planned Battlefleet Gothic game. An Imperial convoy escorted by a light cruiser and two frigates was hit by a Chaos raiding force of two cruisers and six escorts. I was unlucky with initiative rolls and the two cruisers wrecked havoc on the convoy. I'd factored in reinforcements for the convoy of 2 cruisers and 6 escorts, but randomising their point of arrival meant that these didn't arrive in time to support the convoy. although some small satisfaction was gained by bushwhacking three Chaos escorts with the Imperial escorts launching a full spread of torpedoes into their rear arc! Despite the result the game was fun, and the scenario will receive some tweaks in due course.

I'm pleased to say that my new battle mat for Angels 20 has been received from Tiny Wargames and very nice it is too. Needless to say I shall christen same with a game next week. Considerations have also been given to running a Battlemech game.

See yer soon

Neil