First Newbury, 1643

The second game of the AGM weekend was a large 25mm version of First Newbury from the ECW.  Two reviews of this battle have already been posted, by  Will who took the part of Rupert and Phil who took the part of Skippon.  As often happens with these large games, I had little real idea what was happening on the opposite flank (I took the part of Vavasour and was pre-occupied with trying to make progress through the enclosures around Darke Lane).   Therefore, I will concentrate on events in my area of the field.

 The view towards the Royalist left

Having a force consisting of infantry (apart from one unit of dragoons), I decided my best option was to move some infantry into the enclosures and from the relative safety of the hedges take pot shots at the opposing cavalry and supplement their fire with that of my light artillery. 
There were gaps in the hedges, which my opponent Dave, made full use of, moving his dragoons forward so that they could fire on my infantry as it advanced.  Confident in my superior numbers I continued to advance, but the dragoons were supported by some cavalry and these charged halting my progress.  The close terrain meant that the number of figures involved in the melee was fairly small and for a while neither side managed a decisive result.

 Melee in the fields

I had moved my two strongest units into the fields near Round Hill, but Skippon countered this by moving a unit forward himself.  As one of my units began a fire fight which seemed to promise MAD (mutually assured destruction as casualties were inflicted on each side at the same rate), the second drove off one of Dave's cavalry units which was trying to hack its way through the hedge.  This infantry was meant to have the support of a light gun, but it failed to fire for three consecutive moves (ie I rolled a 1 on a d6).

 Advance towards Round Hill

On the far right I had tried to advance along a narrow area of clear terrain, but a cavalry charge forced the infantry to 'form a body' and progress ceased.  An infantry unit moved into the adjacent field intending to move to the cavalry's flank and then drive them away with musketry.  This worked a treat, as Dave withdrew the cavalry as the threat became apparent.  However, just as I was celebrating this minor victory, a second unit of cavalry swept into the field on the flank of my infantry.  They had just enough time to turn to face their aggressors before they were charged.  Resolute defence forced the cavalry to fall back, but, pistol fire from their flank caused some casualties and reduced their level of command.  A second cavalry charge caused them to rout, but fortunately the neighbouring units ignored their flight.
Some revenge was gained by the light artillery as they were in hail shot range of the victorious Roundhead cavalry  and their fire drove the enemy back.

 Surprised by cavalry

This was how affairs ended.  I had made some progress, but not as much as I had anticipated.  Dave made good use of the terrain, which was not ideal for his cavalry.  Careful observation of the gaps in the enclosures aided his attacks and the hedges slowed my advance considerably.  The light guns were  useful, but as the Allies found in the bocage, the close terrain  does favour the defence.