The Norman Warband of Dave K:

Leader (4), sword (sharp weapon), horse, plate armour, chainmail gloves, shield (determined) = 9 pts

Six cavalry (3), reach, horse, sharp weapon (spear on charge) = 6pts each

Army total 45pts.

The Viking Warband of David S:

Leader (4), Sword (sharp weapon), chainmail gloves, plate armour, shield (determined) = 8pts

Hero (4), Sword (sharp weapon), chainmail gloves, chainmail armour, shield (determined) = 8pts

2 Huscarls (4) Sword (sharp weapon), chainmail gloves, chainmail armour, shield (determined) = 8pts each

2 Bondi Spearmen (3), spear (reach), shield (+ 1 to saving rolls) = 5pts each

2 Bondi Archers (3), bow = 4 pts each

Army Total = 50 pts

Turn 1 began with the Normans having the initiative. A Norman horseman road up to take the apothecary’s stash but was promptly shot down by a Bondi archer.

Note suitable dark Age specific objectives are still on the painting table.

Turn one ended with the Viking ahead 3 points (Norman Cavalry) to zero.

Turn 2 saw skirmishes occurring all over the table.

A Norman objective is in dispute.

A Bondi spearmen is killed by a Norman cavalry “reach with his lance while the archer takes a wound off the Norman leader.

The Viking Leader and a Huscarl inflict 2 wounds on a Norman cavalryman.

An objective marker in dispute.

Turn 2  saw the Vikings scoring no additional points and the Normans 3pts for taking out a Bondi spearmen and 2 points for holding an objective. Leaving the totals 5pts to 3pts in favour of the Normans.

Turn three saw the Viking war machine in fill swing.

The Viking Leader takes down the first cavalryman

An objective in dispute with the Viking Hero taking down the second Norman horseman.

The Huscarl takes down a third Norman Cavalryman.

Finally another Norman cavalryman bites the dust.

The Normans hold an objective marker.

Turn 3 was a decisive swing in favour of the Vikings with them outscoring the Normans 16 points to eight leaving the scores at Vikings 19 pts, Normans 13 pts.

A Viking Huscarl goes down.

Turn 4 ended with the scores closing Vikings 21 points to Normans 19.

Turn 5 started disastrously for the Vikings with their Hero and a Huscarl going down and their leader suffering three wounds at the hand of the Norman leader.

The turn ended with both sides in control of 2 objectives but the loss of the Viking hero and Huscarl meant the Norms surged ahead 29pts to 25pts.

In the final turn the Vikings were able to claw back 2 points by controlling 2 objectives to 1 but it was not quite enough.

A lone Viking archer holds the Apothecary’s stash.

A Viking Huscarl in control of the blacksmith’s stash

The Normans taking out victory 31 points to 29.

With the last game being decided by just one point in favour of the Vikings Dave K and I are happy with the play balance we seemed to have achieved.