12 Mar Feb 2009 Scenario 13: Finding the Ford

This game was played in Port Deposit, Maryland, between myself and Rob Dean using our 40mm 16thC armies and Rough Wooing.

This game gave us the chance to pit my English against Rob's French for the 1st time in 4 years. The ford turned out to be in the middle, beside the bridge, and by turn 2 both sides had found it. This put paid to any element of deception and the struggle for the ford became one of brute strength across a ford only 1 stand wide (we diced for width).

An early attempt by the French cavalry backed by crossbowmen and arquebusiers had some success but they were eventually sent packing and then English bowmen dominated the ford. The combination of bill and bow was able to hold the ford but was unable to make headway against the heavily armoured French Gensdarmes who awaited them on the far shore.

 The cannon on the hill and some mounted arquebusiers were brought to bear on the problem and a gap opened, wide enough to slide some light infantry through. These were able to eliminate the enemy battery but were themselves driven off. Slowly the rain of missile weapons took its toll on the gensdarmes and at last only the Captain stood, single handedly holding the ford against the English infantry, (making every save and passing every Shaken Control Check!). As the infantry fell back and made way for the English horse, the cannon barked again and at last the brave Chevalier fell. The English cavalry splashed forward driving off a thin screen of light troops as the French pikes began to fall back, ceding the ford.