Open Tournament 2016 Round 4

Round 4 Game 2

TheMP (BR) 7
Gonzo (FR) 2

The usual slow start with this scenario with both sides vying for best artillery positions and placing their infantry in advantageous spots. Once that was done and after some desultory fire, Gonzo launched a French infantry attack in the centre heading for the 2 block British FA and LN units. It was a bitter and bloody tussle, but the British came out ahead, inflicting 2 banners on the enemy infantry but losing an important FA battery banner themselves. Once again, both sides danced around each other trying to inflict losses at a distance. This time, some Forced March cards for the French saw a 4 unit attack develop on what looked a precarious British right. Initially, the British suffered, with the GG getting the brunt of it (but dishing out stuff themselves). A take command any sector card then saw the British reply and even using a 1 block rifle unit for distance firing. Once again, the French were beaten off with 2 unit losses and the British 1 for a 4-2 British advantage.

In the next interim, the French used centre card after centre card to fire their guns, but were also getting their HC moving back to the British right. The British pulled back here a hex each so as to make further French attacks perilous, although pressure was about to be put on the British units there. The French then moved their own right wing forward, sending their 2 x LC units in a position of what looked like a brewing charge. Having cards of their own saved up from the start, the British Cavalry pre-empted this by charging themselves. In a series of fateful events things headed for a climax.

The British GHC charged the French LC uphill for a 5 dice roll. They rolled 3 x CAV and Sabres to wipe the unit out. Furthermore, the leader there was also overrun. With six banners, the British GHC believed this was it and wiith their breakthrough charged the adjacent 2 banner LN Inf that had formed square. They were confident as I had a 'Break The Square' card to finish them off. But the French rolled a flag and the GHC bounced off never playing the Break Square card. His other LC unit were charged by the 2 x LC of the British and despite the French playing a charge if charged card, the British cavalry came off better losing 1 block to his 2. The chance for the 7-2 win looked lost. This was because Gonzo played a cavalry charge card of his own and not only counter-attacked with his 2 block Hussars, but also sent in his HC at my 1 block GG. They formed square in a bid to survive and rolled a flag against his HC forcing them, like my GHC to bounce away. His LC's then counter-attacked my 2 block LC with a leader but he only knocked off 1 block meaning survival and a battle-back that caused a further block loss, reducing the French LC to 1 block. The next turn, the British played a counter-attack and charged again, leaving the GHC to mop up the single block LC for the skin of the teeth 7-2 win. Despite the 7-3 and 7-2 result each, both games were far tighter than the scoreline suggests.

This means a 1-1 result overall with TheMP gaining a 10-9 agrregate banner win.

I've been away, so please forgive the lack of updating.
However, I'd like to see some more games played. 5 games outstanding, and pretty much anyone can still make the Quarter finals. A very tight pack except for Michael who hasn't lost a game. His dice are the hell!

His dice are the hell!

Der Bayernteufel !!