Montrose Turn 4, July 1644

In the last turn the Royalists lost their first battle and were forced to withdraw from Ayrshire. So, this turn they attempted to retake Ayrshire and expand into Aberdeenshire.  Both tables played Stubborn Retreat where the defender deploys half their units forward. The attackers (Royalist on both tables) score for units over the half way line and the defenders for kills.

Ayrshire table

The Covenanters opted to place their Horse in the Van along with some artillery on a low rise. The Royalists stacked over to the west away from the guns with their Horse in the centre.

Outgunned the Royalists opted to keep the bombardment phase short and attacked the Covenanter Horse in the centre. Sadly one of the Royalists squadrons were routed with the Covenanters then charging into the midst of the low landers and also blocking up the highlanders. The other squadrons faired better and routed their enemy before themselves deep into Covenanter territory.    

 

Covenanter grand battery

With both sides main infatry forces entangled with enemy Horse the Irish attacked in the west. One units took heavy fire and was forced back after a bloody combat. The other quickly  brushed aside some Covenanter foot. At this point the locals rallied to the Royalist cause with Clubmen attacking the  Covenanters in the rear -0 the attack was not deadly but did distract them.    

 

Irish attack

The game ended in a 4-3 victory for the Royalists.  

Aberdeenshire table

A different plan on this table with the English infatry deployed in the van and horse looking to catchup. The Irish were massed in the east aiming to take a strategic hill. 

English vanguard

The Royalists push forward while the English rushed to reinforce the van. This allowed the Royalists Horse to get into a flanking position in the west where they engaged the English horse.    

Royalists Horse push the enemy back

 
The centre saw a fierce fight for supremacy which was fairly even. So even in fact the game was a draw.   

Irish take a hill

Campaign situation     

So Ayrshire was narrowly was retaken with Aberdeenshire still contested. As we 're getting quicker on the rules the games are becoming more conclusive.

Royalists pull 6-4 ahead overall