SPRING BIG GAME 2022 ("LAST TRAIN FROM LEOMINSTER?") - THE SET UP

It's all very simple .... on paper...

As a result of the Autumn Big Game 2021 ("Advance to Leominster"), the forces of HM Government (a mixture of Royalists and BUF) are under increasing pressure from the advancing forces of the Opposition Factions - Anglicans to the north, Social Democrats to the east, and Comrade Colonel Professor Winter's Communists to the west. 

Notwithstanding the heroic resistance of Staff Captain Maynard against the Communist Shock Armies to the west of Leominster, and the triumphs of the notorious "Wyrd Force" against the Social Democratic levies of Bromyard to the east, the defeat of Spode by the Bishop of Lichfield's Anglicans inevitably caused a "thinning of defensive lines" around Leominster, together with a withdrawal of Government forces into its immediate suburbs. The stage is now set for the Spring Big Game 2022 ("Last Train from Leominster?"), a "companion game" to its immediate predecessor....

There are three of our usual large tables, plus a smaller central table.

TABLE ONE (North of Leominster)

The attacking Anglicans take on HM Govt. Forces in defence. Amongst other terrain features, Table One has a "central objective" of a Church. Govt. Orders are "to hold the line". Anglican orders are to "brush aside" the defenders, take the Church if possible, and penetrate into central Leominster......... 

TABLE TWO (East of Leominster)

The attacking Social Democrats take on HM Govt. Forces in defence. Amongst other terrain features, Table Two has a "central objective" of a Rifle Range/Arms Dump. Govt. Orders are to "hold the line". Social Democratic orders are to "defeat" the defenders, take the Rifle Range/Arms Dump if possible, and penetrate into central Leominster.....

TABLE THREE (West of Leominster)

The attacking Communist "Shock Armies" take on HM Govt. Forces in defence. Amongst other terrain features, Table Three has a "central objective" of a Cider Factory. Govt. Orders are to "hold the line". Communist orders are to "exterminate" the defenders, take the Cider Factory if possible (and not drink the contents), and penetrate into central Leominster.....

THE CENTRAL TABLE (Leominster itself)

A model representation of the built up areas of central Leominster exclusively arranged by Terrain Tsar Roo! Amidst other notable architectural features, the Central Table showcases the "BUF Black House" on one side of Corn Square, the supersized statue of Arrowsmith in the centre of the square itself, together with a "BUF Special Train" ("the Black Arrow") slowly getting up steam at Leominster Railway Station......

SPECIAL NOTES

(1). In the event that any one of the attacking "Opposition Factions" declares "a breakthrough" on their table (alternatively, any of the HM Govt commanders orders "a withdrawal" from their table), the Umpires will adjudicate and arrange the transfer of forces on to the Central Leominster table. Fighting may then continue within Central Leominster;

(2). "Opposition Factions" may of course attack each other within Central Leominster. This may be something that HM Government would wish to encourage....

(3).  The BUF Black House within Central Leominster may contain an additional section of "desperate defenders" determined to hold out to the last. They may accordingly not move from the Black House, but are not subject to any morale rolls. Control of this "forlorn hope" may vary from player to player on the Central Table, according to Umpire Rules to be communicated "on the day".

(4). Dependent upon the events of the day, the Umpires have prepared special "luxurious sealed envelopes" of "additional orders" for possible distribution to the players. The only certainty is uncertainty.....

(5). If any of the Opposition Factions penetrate into Central Leominster itself, the whole game can be won by taking and holding ("until stumps are declared") the supersized Statue of Arrowsmith. It may be that a friendly local building contractor can then be persuaded to "bring his crane along" in order for the statue to be unceremoniously pulled down.....or it may be that such a "cheeky chappie" will be unceremoniously "shot out of hand" by remaining Government defenders for his damned impertinence....

AND

The Umpires previously declared the Autumn 2021 Big Game to be "a linked game" with the Spring 2022 Big Game. Given the results of the "Advance to Leominster" games, additional armoured forces have therefore been awarded to the attacking Opposition Factions according to their previous success (or otherwise), as follows:

Anglicans - an "Armoured Brigade" of 3 tanks;

Communists - a "Shock Front" of 2 tanks;

Social Democrats - a solitary tank.

HM Govt have accordingly rushed a variety of anti-tank weapons from Hereford to Leominster, which have come under the central command of Staff Captain Maynard. He will consult with his Government commanders at the start of the day and dole out these last reserves according to his defensive plan.....

Additional Govt AT weapons do not require their own Initiative Card, but move according to their HQ Initiative Card. The Opposition Factions "additional armour" requires an additional Initiative Card, to be drawn at the same time as each move's other Initiative Cards.

AND FINALLY....

These PLATOON GENERATOR RULES are in operation. Dice rolls "on the day" will determine the experience levels of your troops, so be prepared (1). to roll for your Opponent (2). to take a note of your own results.

The USUAL RULE AMENDMENTS are in operation. However, products of the 2021 Modelling Challenge will not be making a repeat appearance at this Big Game. The "bordel" has been evacuated from Leominster....

Just for fun, "CRICKET SCORING" is being introduced for HM Govt Commanders. The aim is to stimulate healthy, manly, cheery competition between HM Govt. Commanders without affecting their central strategic aim. "Cricket Score Sheets" will be distributed on the day (each "turn" counts as "one wicket") with the defenders scoring as per this post. Who will post the highest score ?   

That's it, folks! Until Saturday, 26th March !

NOTE: For all posts on the game, click the "Spring Big Game 2022" label to the right.