Romans v Gauls : A To the Strongest game

Before we get to the game ... this Heron was sitting in the middle of the Writtle pond, so had to get a shot of it !

Here's the lads discussing the set up with umpire, Steve Clarke

The Romans (Mike and I) will be on the right, Gauls led by Ian, Allan & Wes on the left

The troops are assembling on the table

Here's the Roman left under Mike's control

These are his legionaries 

With some artillery in the centre

Ian has the Gaul cavalry on their right attacking down the flank

The war bands advance

Here's what it looks like in the opening stage, Romans on the right

Mike's light cavalry on our left

His infantry kept a nice solid line throughout

Mine are a bit more disjointed and form two clear lines with a gap between

The war bands steadily move forward as the legions wait

I'm trying to get y force in the centre to align with the right

Our centre looks a bit sparse because we have the artillery there

Nevertheless, it looks solid either side

Wes's war bands head for my troops 

and Allan's cavalry canter through the centre

Typical warbands, not working together !

Mike and Ian's cavalry clash beside the woods

as his infantry wait for the onslaught

This cavalry tussle carries on for the rest of the game

Bit of a distraction for the Gaul's leader who is caught up in this for the whole game

First attack by a war band against my legionaries

My veterans stand solid as a war band heads for my archers lining the woods

The war band are held and assaulted by three units in return

More Gauls advance to attack 

Allan's cavalry are now ahead of his tribesmen

Mike's infantry still hold firm ready for the enemy charges

Amazingly, my archers cause the enemy infantry and cavalry some problems

Still a way to go for the war bands on the right

But they suddenly charge

skirmishers out front

Do you remember the "Green Man' from an earlier battle ?  Well Allan is using him again as a Hero figure !

My legionaries are breaking up this war band attack

Two command figures behind the ranks steady the lines and restore order when needed

Action everywhere on my side of the field !

But now Mike's lines get hit too

My units are working well together and beating off the Gauls each time - although my veterans have taken one hit in this shot

The cavalry action over on our left continues unabated

Mike's formidable Roman line !

Wave after wave of Gaulish attacks - but generally piecemeal and not co-ordinated

My troops resolutely fight them off

Here one of my units has turned to assist Mike's troops in the centre

As Gaul casualties mount and units are removed, gaps appear and we win more and more victory tokens

Even my artillery boys have had some success with their shooting !

But Mike's is a more impressive sight

With time against us, the umpire declares a definite Roman win as we had destroyed several war bands against minimal losses on our side.

Thats it for another club Sunday - great fun and even the Gauls enjoyed themselves.

More in two weeks time for Essex Warriors.