I got together today with three enthusiastic teen gamers to play a game of Sharp Practice 2. A British force was given the task of attacking an American strong point and to create as much havoc as possible. I had played some solo games, but this was the first time of actually having a live opponent.
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| The American Force |
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| The British Force |
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| The table from the British deployment point |
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| Overview of the table |
Both sides chose to supplement their forces with a secondary deployment point. This proved to be a greater advantage for the lobster backs. On the first turn, the Americans aggressively ran up one of their formations of state line troops to the middle of the table. This proved to be a mistake as later in the turn the British chip came up for three groups of British regulars to come on within close range of the Americans. They presented arms and let loose a controlled volley that reduced the line troops to a shambles. They were pretty much out of the game from that point.
However, two turns later the continental formation arrived, moved and presented. Tensions rose as both sides desperately wanted to be able to fire first. The rebel commanders rejoiced as their chip was drawn. A murderous controlled volley tore through the British regulars. Making matters worse, the British commander was killed outright and his second in command was wounded, leaving the King's most powerful force adrift for the next few turns.
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| The British regulars are stopped cold by the Continentals |
As well as things were going in the center for the Americans, the flanks were a different matter all together. On the British right, a tribe of Indian allies dashed through the wheat field and made it to the farm house in short order. On the next turn, flames consumed the building causing great consternation amongst the Americans. On the left, British skirmishers and two groups of regulars got into position to attack the block house.
The Americans scramble to turn around some of their units to confront these threats, but the crowded conditions made maneuver very difficult. Adding to the confusion, the Indian tribe successfully set fire to the church and then sprinted to attack the rebel left flank. The fighting was hand to hand. The warriors drove back the state troops, but their exaltation was short lived as the American commander was able to play four game cards to allow one of his units a second turn. The disorganized braves were forced to make a hasty retreat and that was the end of the battle for them. Their attack, however, prevented the Americans to get any aid to the beleaguered defenders of the block house. As the game drew to a close, flames appeared upon the roof of the strategic structure. The skirmish unit inside scramble through the door to escape, only to be greeted by a volley from a group of British light infantry.
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| The Indians have set the farm on fire. |
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| Smoke can be seen rising from the block house, signaling the ultimate defeat of the Americans. |
Even though we had to consult the rules on several occasions, the game moved along pretty quickly. The guys really enjoyed the feel of the contest. Meaningful lessons were learned on both sides; another encounter will occur in the not too distant future.
