Ribble Rumble 2024

Huub and I managed to go to Ribble Rumble.

I choose to go with the nikephorians knowing I would face some uphill challenges but it was my choice.

My first opponent was to be Malcolm Barnfield and his rather huge 5404 medieval welsh army full of PB as well

I felt a bit overwhelmed by numbers but had no choice . So I decided to deploy my cavalry a bit back and go for it with the Varangians and the skutatoï and play quality vs quantity

Going in without fear but my cavalry still is prudent

Dice are cast, no going back and I must burst through him quickly while protecting my flanks. He had the terrain to anchor his line so my choices were rather limited.

The cataphracts did hurt him

Here I will mismanage it as I forgot he had some fleet of foot guys . In a few turns I will loose most of my mounted

But if I want to engage in the center I need to go for it and protect the flank by sacrificing some UGs

The cataphracts do bear the brunt of it but my infantry is also in the fight

My 6 bases ( down to 5 ) TUG uses shield cover as there are so many PB shooting but they need to anchor my own flank. The Varangian guard does the job

I am cleaning the center of the table but my cavalry on the flank is now engaged ( Themata and Norman knights ). They will die

The fight is still on and his numbers do tell as my flanks become very vulnerable

My left flank has disintegrated

His center has disintegrated as well

Nearing the end of the game. Due to numerous shooting and fighting we did not manage a result and the game ended 12-10 in my favour. from memory we both missed one TUG to kill the opponent's army.

A very enjoyable game

Thank you to Malcom