Intercontinental Tournament - 2022

Round 4 114 Barrosa (5 March 1811)
Game 2
Mark B (Allies)  7 banners, 35 blocks lost
Mark McG (French)  6 banners, 30 blocks lost

The French had the initiative in this game, rapidly establishing dominance on the hill, sustained by a Fight First. Of the other two sections, only the centre saw action, and that mainly in support of the action on the hill. French HC disposed of the British FA, whose Canister and Bombard both proved ineffectual. The British had gained a lucky early kill on Villatt but the French attacks were unblunted, with strong coordination between their cavalry and left flank, gaining them dominance over both hill and centre battlefield.

The tide began to turn on the hill, when a volley from a British line unit at last found its target, cutting a lead French unit down to one block. Plenty of replacements were available to renew the French attack but Cold Steel awaited to even the odds. An urgency developed on  both sides, with several 1 or 2 block units called into combat, even when retreat possibilities where there.  Finally, supported by fire from remnant British Line units, a Spanish Line unit with Inspired Leadership uncharacteristically surged forward into melee, bringing the battle to its closing moments. With the hill at stake, two weak French units countered with their own close combat. The first claimed a banner but the second lost one in battle-back. The subsequent leader kill was almost moot, as now the hill was once again in Allied hands.

A very different game from the first, as the banner and lost blocks counts bear witness. Thanks to Mark McG.

 

For those tournament participants who may not see the Vassal or BGG threads, I have just released a further update (v4.1.3) to the CCN module, with minor fixes to mouseover and combat marker functionality. See the Vassal module page to download.

Round 4; Game 2
Greg Ottoman (French) - 7
Mike Stanley  (Allies)- 5

The French led off on the right flanks due to a lack of left flank cards.   The Brits responded pushing back the French Lights and little damage was done on either side.   The French picked up a BC card and decided to make their move on the ridge.   Four French LNs assaulted a line of four Spanish LNs, backstopped by a Brit GG.   The French assault tossed 20 dice and only got 4 hits, taking 2 in return, although the Spanish flanks were pushed back.  While I'd like to complain about luck, it can change...

The Allies responded with a leadership card and attacked on both flanks.  The French responded with a CA, leaving both sides weakened on the ridge and the British Light on the right flank reduced to 2 blocks.  The Allies then played their own BC and surged onto the ridge, while extracting a SP LN at 1 block from danger.  The Allies bagged two FR LNs and a leader, giving them a solid 4 block to 1 block lead and strong control of the Ridge, so basically two more banners and it would be a Allied victory.

The French had few options given their units and their hand, and struck on the right flank and eliminated the weakened BR LT and took the Rifle down to a single block.  The Allies responded with a Forward card, extracting the Rifle from danger and a BR LN and GG on the ridge moved to attack a FR LN who was hiding beside the ridge and Barrosa.  Just when things looked the darkest for the French, the BR LN missed on all four dice and the French caused 3 hits in return.  The GG fared better but caused 2 hits and drove the French back.

This enabled the French to use a take command left flank to order the wounded LN and a full-strength LT into battle.  The FR LT took the BR GG down to a single block and the FR LN finished it off and eliminated the leader.   Luck was swinging towards the French.

The Allies consolidated pulling their 1 block SP LN off the ridge, and out of immediate danger, leaving a 1 block BR LN who was eliminated in the next FR play and more critically the SP leader was eliminated in yet another lucky roll.   The Allies consolidate further onto the ridge and the French then moved an artillery up backed by two Grenadiers.

The Allies drive the artillery off but the French had just drawn a Forced March which they used to send their LT on the left flank deep to strike the 1 block Spanish unit for the win.

A really intense battle, again all about the ridge but some action was seen on the right.    The French had some amazing luck at the end to survive that downhill attack from two units and then even more luck to eliminate 2 leaders.    I know it’s hard to see a game go that way when you should have it in the bag, but Mark was a great sport and played his best game possible.

 

114 Barrosa (5 March 1811) [ICT2022 - Round Four - 1st game]
French(Andras) 7(6+1) vs. Allies(Eric Y) 1

The Spanish units occupying the ridge managed to keep the French at bay for a while with volleys. Until a Bayonet Charge hit the defenders hard even though a First Strike has been used. Gen. Lardizabal fell coordinating his troops. The Allies valiantly tried to take back the heights with a counter push led by Gen. Graham and his British Guard Grenadiers. After running down a French Grenadier unit they threatened to break through the blue line, but they met an extremely effective First Strike eliminating them on a single roll. Gen. Graham tried to hold his ground against all odds, but French numbers prevailed.

A fast game which was decided by French dice in melee being devastating in the most critical situations. Eric managed to maintain his cheerful mood even amidst the most unfortunate turn of events.

Sorry, forgot to post and sent via email by mistake:

Fardette (Fr) - 7
Thompson (Ally) - 5

A very tight game. Initial French attacks were blunted without mercy, and Steve quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The French used a force march to bring the Grenadiers up to prevent a complete rout, but the Allies remained in control of the ridge and 3 single block Spaniards made their escape to the rear.

Action shifted to the center where the French had better luck. Steve was not able to get the cards he needed and the French rolled many more dice which succeeded in wearing down the Allies. Both sides reinforced the center from the flank opposite the ridge, but the heavy cavalry took out a couple of units before collapsing in a hail of musketry, and the French artillery took a pot shot at a lone Spaniard block to end the battle.

Of note, both sides played Grand Maneuvers, the Allies to get the Spanish out of trouble and the French to reinforce the center from their right. Despite what was probably 5 or 6 units getting shot out from around them, no leaders were hit.

Can no one stop Jim! 8 victories in a row!

Nope, that was a late report for game 7. Steve and I play the return match tomorrow with him the favored French…

Rd4 Game2
BarrosaAllies - Jim Fardette 6 banners taken, 38 blocks lost
French - Steve T, 7 banners taken, 39 blocks lost
Some early manouvering, then my French used LGM to prepare to attack the ridge, the Allies retreated here and the French stormed forward with forced march. In the ensuing melee, the Allies replied with bayonet charge and forced march and when the dust had settled they held the ridge in force, at the cost of four units lost and Lardizbal killed along with his regiment; the French had lost three units also and the few survivors of several other French units fled with LGM (4-5). After this, one full strength French unit held Barrosa but was completely isolated and destroyed at leisure by massed Allied musket fire followed by the Grenadier Guards delivering the coup de grace in melee. While this was occurring, the French launched cavalry and infantry at the Allied left, with forced march and elan and final victory by the closest of margins (and numerous broken French units down to one block hiding in the French rear).Thanks to Jim for a pair of incredibly hard fought, tough games; I'm glad to have broken his winning streak but the match goes to him deservedly on the banner count!Note that on our previous game he won as the French 4-7, not 5-7.

Lo    g file here

CCN Intercontinental Tournament Round 4, Round 2

Allies (Ben Turner) 7 - 1 French (Tom Hilder)

I wrote up a more detailed battle report but it timed out and I lost it, so here is a more abbreviated version: most of the action was on the hill, once again. The french started with an attack on the spanish right flank, which failed to dislodge them. The two sides traded pot shots until I played an assault right flank that solidified my position with several powerful units, including a GG unit stacked with a leader. Over the subsequent several turns, I played two bayonet charge and leadership cards to devastating effect.

Well-played by Tom, who is a relative newbie to CCN.

Ben