First Fight in the new war-games room !

As the new house gets gradually sorted out and my study takes shape, I got Steve C around today for a game of Sharp Practice, something we haven't played for a while.

The British are sweeping up the table and get a head start before the French can react.

Four out of five groups are on and heading towards the French positions

The "Light Bobs" dashing ahead through some light woods

The British commander has four groups formed into two formations with a fifth group flanking them on the left

The Light troops have reached the stream near the orchard

but now the French react - two formations of line troops plus two groups of Voltigeurs advance as quick as they can

They reach the first of the woods and the French light troops begin to advance through the trees

The French commander orders a volley from his front formation - its devastating with four of the British killed outright.

and now the French light troops emerges from the trees

The British light troops need to get out of here before its too late !

The left hand British group has rushed across the stream trying to outflank the French

The French formations are "leapfrogging" each other to keep up the advance

RTheir light troops continue their aggressive move and cross the stream

The surviving British light troops have crossed the wall and taken cover in the orchard

Stung by the French light infantry fire, the British commander orders his right hand formation to charge - but the enemy evade

Sustained French light infantry fire is causing a lot of shock on the British 

The British formation on the left crosses the stream to try and take the initiative back

They play the "Thin Red Line" card and charge the enemy who are still unloaded from their previous volley

But they lose the melee and retreat with high casualties. A follow up volley from the French destroys the remaining British and their force morale collapses to zero.

A clear French victory today, whose force morale has only moved down a couple of points on the chart.

It was so fast moving, neither of us had a chance to get into a position where our formations could deliver controlled volleys but the casualty toll was still high !

A good first game at the new house.