Sharp Practice Game

I was really fortunate to be able to host Jeff and Thomas for  quick game of Sharp Practice 2. The scenario was a simple one: a bridge needed to be secured by advanced parties of approaching armies. The entry points for both sides were equidistant, about 30 inches.

Amazingly, after the first draw of the chips, every available unit was on the table. The Portuguese were able to move a bit more quickly toward the objective, but the French posted some skirmishers in a wood that did considerable damage to the vaunted 95th Rifles and various groups of Portuguese.

Unfortunately, our game was fairly brief due to pressing dinner plans, but we did get to see some amusing events. Both sides had to take a random events test for movement and saw officers detained by stepping in animal excrement. An Portuguese officer was slightly wounded on an amazing first volley by the French skirmishers that saw five out of six dice turning up hits and those inflicting enough sixes to require a test on the officer who was wounded.

In the end, the Portuguese were able to secure both ends of the bridge and secure a victory, but if the game had gone on, it is likely that the light group on the opposite side of the crossing would have been wiped out by the disciplined French infantry. At the conclusion of the game, the allies had lost seven figures and the French only two.

The Portuguese line infantry.

The light company holding the other end of the bridge.

A French formation firing away.

Overview of the game. The French skirmishers are in the woods in the top left.

The Rifles driven back with losses.

The main French line.

The Rifles taking shelter behind a ridge.

The moral chart.

Close up of the Portuguese.

The French engineers never got into the fight.

It was an enjoyable couple of hours catching up with wargaming buddies and throwing some dice around. Until next time!