Colours 2012 Report

Colours 2012 Report held 8 - 9 September in Newbury, Berkshire, England. On a glorious English late summer’s morning 34 Flames Of War players met up at Newbury Racecourse to contest, what may well have been the largest Early-war Flames Of War tournament in Europe? Left: Newbury Racecourse.

This was indeed an excellent turnout with some very highly rated players attending, so the competition was going to be well fought for the places and trophies on offer. In fact the Flames Of War event had nearly double the amount of participants than all the other tournaments put together, which just shows how popular Flames Of War is becoming, which can only be a good thing. Right: The Grandstand at Newbury Racecourse.

The composition of armies was very varied too, this being an open tournament; lists were allowed from Blitzkreig, Hell Fire and Back, Burning Empires and possibly a world first and at the specific request of Wayne; the allowance of not one but two Dutch lists, even though the PDF was still under review. The points allowed were 1500, which in my opinion is the perfect value for Early-war due to the reduced ranges and firepower of guns, which allows for greater survivability of your various teams, also at 1500 points harsh decisions have to made at what you can or cannot bring to the table, at the more customary 1750 points list unit selection just isn’t an issue! Left: Steve Charlton accepts the awards for winning the Early-war event at Colours 2012.

As is customary here in the United Kingdom, the tables are provided in the main by the players and the quality of terrain was superb, with a nice even split of North West Europe and North African themed tables. The tournament consisted of five games over the two days and the following scenarios were used: Game 1: Encounter (FF). Game 2: Pincer (DB). Game 3: Breakthrough (MB). Game 4: Cauldron (DB). Game 5: Dust Up (FF). Right: Best Sportsman winner, Mike Klaka.

The standings were very close all weekend and there was only five points splitting the top top in the end.  In fact going into the last round anyone of about ten players could have come up on top due to the closeness of the scores, which just makes for a very tense final game, as none of the contenders could afford to give away points. Left: Brendan Cummins (aged 10) accepts the Wooden Spoon.

Here are the final standings:

Final Placing Name Army Total Score 1 Steve Charlton LRDG Patrol (EW) 74 2 David Payne Schutzenkompanie (Blitzkreig) 71 3 Graham Willmott Escadron de Reconnaissance 69 4= David Madigan New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Squadron (HFB) 67 4= Robin Spence Liechte Pionierkompanie (Blitzkreig) 67 6 Simon Elliott Escadron de Reconnaissance 66 7 Hammy Infanteriekompanie Motorisiert (Blitzkreig) 64 8 Colin Bright Infanteriekompanie Motorisiert (Blitzkreig) 62 9= Ian Pudney Jock Column 59 9= Kevin Perry Compagnie de Combat 59 11 Paul Frith Commonwealth Rifle Comapany (Australian) 57 12= Will Denham Leichte Panzerkompanie (HFB) 56 12= Tim Harris Escadron de Combat 56 14 Dino Monticoli Pulk Kawalerii Zmotoryzowanej 55 15 Mark Clarke Liechte Panzerkompanie (Blitzkrieg) 52 16= Nobby Panzerschutzenkompanie (Blitzkreig) 50 16= David Green Honey Armoured Squadron 50 16= Adrian Nash British Armoured Regiment (Blitzkreig) 50 16= Mike Parker Jock Column 50 20= Roddy Trimble Compagnie Carri 49 20= Ian Colby Schutzenkompanie (Blitzkreig) 49 22 Alex Elliott Schutzenkompanie (Blitzkreig) 46 23 Keith McGlynn Fallschirmjägerkompanie 45 24 Brian Shipp Leichte Pionierkompanie (HFB) 44 25 Rob James Czech Panzerkompanie 40 26 Micharl Bradford Armoured Car Squadron 38 27= Mike Klaka Escadron de Reconnaissance 37 27= Michael Guest Battaglione Fucilieri (Black Shirt, Burning Empires) 37 29= Victor van Zutphen Dutch Infantriecompagnie (PDF) 37 30 Neil Mason Dutch Infantriecompagnie (PDF) 29 31 Chris Lowe Fallschirmjägerkompanie 29 32 Paul Cummins LRDG Patrol (EW) 26 33 Paul Baldwin Compagnie de Combat 20 34 Brendan Cummins Czech Panzerkompanie 19

So a Raiding Force from Burning Empires pretty much book ended the event, which shows that these types of lists can be competitive, in an open tournament. Credit must go to our two juniors Alex Elliott (15) and Brendan Cummins (10), who are certainly ones to watch in the future! First Overall: Steve Charlton. Second Overall: David Payne. Third Overall: Graham Willmott. Best non-placed Axis Player: Robin Spence. Best non-placed Allied Player: David Madigan. Junior Winner: Alex Elliott. Junior Runner-up: Brendan Cummins. Best painted Axis Army (via Player vote): Robin Spence. Best painted Allied Army (via Player vote): Steve Charlton & Tim Harris. Best player provided table (via Player vote): Tim Harris. Le Grand Fromage (Cheesiest list): Robin Spence. Best Sportsman: Mike Klaka. Wooden Spoon: Brendan Cummins. First Person To Scalp a CiC: Ian Colby. First Time Ever Having A Submitted On Time: Nobby. Hopefully we will be able to have an even larger event next year!

Below: The players relax at the conclusion of events.

Colours is one of the premier wargaming shows in the South, with up to 80 traders in attendance and as many as 40 demonstration and/or participation games over the weekend, PLUS, lots of hard fought competitions in wargaming, modelling and figure painting (open to all), AND a very popular Bring and Buy Stall. The Show also features demonstrations of model making and painting by experts from a number of model making societies and displays of uniforms, weapons, drill and combat by the living history and re-enactment organisations. Over the course of two days, several thousand people typically attend the show, which takes over all three floors of the magnificent Grandstand at Newbury Racecourse and, weather permitting, spills outside. As you would expect of a show of this quality and magnitude, the trade stands, displays, games and competitions are carefully integrated and laid out, and complementary Show Guides with complete floor plans are issued on entry.