Communal Italian (189) vs Norman (179)
After a degree of minor tinkering with the order of battle (or "orbat" for those what know about this type of things) the Communal Italians were ready for their final outing before the Old Codgers event at Kegworth. And once again Kevin came forward with a challenging opposition in the form of his Normans. I was attacking in the plains and the Normans decided they needed flank protection. We deployed with our Italian foot firm against the coastline with our knights arrayed out to the left of them.
Clearly the Normans thought better of sending their Knights forward against the spears and sent their own spears forward to confront us. However, their own Knights were slow to move. For the Italians part they kept it simple and advanced in line.
The Normans came forward, and their line started to look a wee bit vulnerable, albeit that they were trying their best to protect the infantry flanks as best as they could. The Italian crossbows were causing more damage than the fire from the Normans at this stage.
The opposing infantry made contact and the honours in the combats at this stage were relatively even. However, we have managed to expose the flanks of the infantry line but ay this stage not able to exploit it. We were both waiting for the clash of Knights on Knights. The Italians hoping that the results would be far more in their favour than the last battle where their knights were ridden down by the Normans.
The Norman infantry line has been flanked and broken. The initial contact between the Knights in the centre was even. On the left the Norman Knights are unwilling to move forward and engage. The threat of the mixed unit of spears and crossbows has rather dampened their ardour.
The Norman infantry is now in peril of being destroyed. However, their Knights in the centre are winning their fight.
The Italian infantry has almost defeated their Norman opposite numbers, albeit for a minor success where an Italian heavy spear unit was flanked and destroyed. In the centre an impetuous French mercenary Knight has moved forward and destroyed a Norman crossbow unit only to be flanked themselves in return. In the centre the Italian Knights stubbornly refuse to cave into the threats arrayed against them. Meanwhile on the Italian left the Norman have finally decided to try and even the odds; but is it all too late?
On the left the Italian's have wheeled to reduce the threat to their flank. In the centre the Norman Knights have failed to overcome the Italian Knights, but the real issue for the Norman's is the loss of their Infantry.
Outcome
An Italian victory by 20 to 24.
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