400pt game today with my Central Asian Turks (Turgesh) vs usual

opponnent Stephens T'Ang Chinese

T'Ang invaded in spring and terrain consisted of 2 DH 3 GH 2 RH and

2 RF (other than a GH mid table and both my flanks covered by RH

terrain played no real part in game)

I used Su Lu a brilliant General with 2 CvS, 8 LhS, 6 PsO, 6 HdO, 6

BwI a CvO SG with 4 CvO 8 LhS a second SG with 2 CvO and 6 LhS, Army

baggage comprised 6 BgF and a Sogdian AG with 4 KnF and 2 LhF and 2

BgF.

Su Lu bought an Ambush, a Flank Attack and Feigned Flight (ambush

discarded). Sogdian sent on Flank Attack on left and smaller SG Cmd

delayed to rear. Su Lu deployed on left with LH to front and Bow in

RF with Ps on a RH to rear with Hd guarding the baggage. The other

SG deployed in Centre and to Right with 2 groups (turned out to be a

major mistake) on 4 Lh with 2 CvO behind.

T'Ang comprised a Reg Bag (Pip dump) cmd and 3 largish Cmds with

lots of Reg CvS several KnX, BwX, LhF and subject LhS turk renegades

2 ArtO also appeared.

I went first as defender and rolled a 6 for Su Lu and a disasterous

1 for on-table SG (other 2 Cmds not appearing yet. The 1 was major

bind as I had deployed the SG in 2 groups and could only halt/move 1

and had to watch 4 of my Impetuous LhS ride forward onto lower slope

of a GH in staggered formation.

The oppossing T'ang Cmd rolled a 6 of course and marched CvS right

into my LH with upslope advantage.

It was shape of things to come as T'ang consistantly rolled high

Pips and my lot low.

After 2 turns my SG Cmd had lost 4 elements of LH and were being

outflanked on table by oppossing Turkish LH. My delayed Cmd appeared

on turn 3 but despite the Flank Attack my Sogdians remained off

table (they had a nice open flank to appear on as well with T'ang Cv

and BowX).

In centre it was initally a stalemate as my Lh screen managed to

survive vs BwX, Art and Cv. But once the KnX got into contact I

began to lose a few elements. By this time my right flank had become

disheartened and then broke.

In centre I moved a group of 6 Bow out of RF to counter Cav

threatening Su Lu but this proved another mistake as large Pips by

T'ang allowed them to surround the bow and destroy them in 2 turns.

Things looked bad (as usual) as I had inflicted only minimal losses

on T'ang. I then charged Su Lu into an T'ang General using a

brilliant stroke to try to turn things around. But.....you guessed

it............ he threw the inevitable 1 to enemy 6 and bounced

ingloriously off !

Still no sign of Sogdians despite by this time only needing a 4 or

better to appear.

They had not arrived by the time a lost several more Lh and a CvS

element which broke Su Lus Cmd ending the contest.

Despite yet another loss it was as ever an enjoyable game. My Pips

were frustratingly low each turn and the non-appearence of the

sodding Sogdians was not that helpful to my cause...........

Games lessons :

BwX are a pretty decent troop type (shoot as bow (duh) and count as

SpO in close combat but also count overlaps vs charging Mtd).

Flank marches are risky even if used a Flank attacks.

Feigned Flight is rather hard to use (I was tempted nce or twice but

could see no real advantage acrueing)

Brilliant Generals can be less than stellar if dice Gods dont like

them, or I am in control (one of Phils dull cmdrs !) :-)