215 Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812) [OT2019 - Round Four - 2nd game]
RiverWanderer (Russians) 10
Bangla (French) 3
The Russians open with "Forward" along lines appearing to mirror Tony (Bangla)'s successful tactics in the first game. It is soon apparent that Tony will take a different approach to defending against cavalry attacks, only going into square when the situation is especially unfavourable. Even so, LeGrand is unlucky and fails his leader check; the first banner to the Russians. Despite this early encouragement, the Russians are, for now, at a stand-still on the French Right and a reduced French Light Cavalry unit takes cover in woods, eventually reaching the relative safety of the centre as a single block.
Meanwhile, the focus shifts to the centre; a series of volleys are exchanged as the French strengthen their defensive line and the Russians try to wear down defenders in the town. Notably, Cossacks mask their comrades from the worst but, when this screen is finally dispersed, the Russians decide to take their chances and Force March against the town. This move tacks away from the stronger French flank and sees the Russians in three town hexes at one point. However, a rash combat against Artillery goes predictably badly and at this point it is evens on 3 banners each.
It is now the French turn to play "Forward" and a new attack starts to form against the Russian Right whilst French units consolidate for defence in the other sections. The Russians would like to respond in all sections and, fortunately for them, Counter-Attack is at hand.
A questionable advance and attack from the Russian Right starts badly, as a Russian Line is lucky to retreat with one block left after scoring no hits against infantry. Against expectations, the next combat sequence rescues the situation with remarkable luck; first a Foot Artillery and then, a second leader banner falls to Russian Light Cavalry. In the centre, Russians from the town sweep away two French infantry units and a third is put into square. The second Russian Cuirassier unit is brought forward to join a leader in woods, threatening the now weakened French centre.
With the Russians one banner from victory, the French re-occupy the church to bring the Russians back to 7 banners and a full strength line unit pushes the Russian Light Cavalry back on the French Left, threatening to take one or two banners in this area on the next turn. But it is too late, the Russians have attacks with good odds in the centre. Grenadiers destroy the French infantry square, though Gerard escapes. Finally, the newly arrived Cuirassiers destroy a weak French artillery unit to breakthrough and take the final banner from the Light Cavalry that had sought shelter a town hex in the first part of the game.
A more dynamic game than yesterday's, thanks to Tony's greater nerve in the face of cavalry. The margin of the Russian win was underpinned by a run of good luck through much of the game; notably, a rash combat that went much better that it should have done, denting a potential French riposte, just at the moment when the rest of the Russian field was poised to sprint for the finish. Without the two or three lucky banners, a win would have been uncertain in the face of a solid French defence protecting the objective banners.
Again, we followed Mark McG's advice and had no issues with the VASSAL module during play. Also, no delayed transmission of play - reinforcing my suspicion that this problem is down to my own ISP connection, as I was in a different location for this game.
