NEHL June Round-Up
Leeds By Example
750 points - 6 Games
1st: Jonathan Swallow - Reclamation of Osgiliath
2nd: John Ratcliffe - Army of Erebor
3rd: Richard Calladine - Men of the West
Best Painted: Sean Clarke - Burdhur’s Horde
Most Sporting: Sean Clarke - Burdhur’s Horde
Some intense action took place down in Leeds at the start of June, though with some notable bans: No Legolases (Legoli? Legolapodes?), no Barrow Wights, no eagles, and no Lobelia Sackville-Baggins! With some of the tricksier features out of play, we saw reliable battlelines take centre stage.
Taking 3rd place, Richard Calladine showed that Men of the West can perform well without the usual crutches of Gwaihir and Legolas. Instead, he had Elessar and Gandalf both mounted - yes, that is 500 points and a full two-thirds of Richard’s army - who could galavant freely without worrying about a certain pointy-eared elf. John Ratcliffe, a relative newcomer to the tournament scene, took a very reliable Army of Erebor all the way to 2nd place. With Thorin III, Gimli and Gloin to deal out a lot of damage, there are few forces that can grind as well as an Iron Hills battleline. Finally, king of the hill and current leader in the NEHL rankings, Jonathan Swallow once again led his Reclamation of Osgiliath to victory. He was the only player to win all 6 games across the weekend, and he’s making headway to become synonymous with the list (at least as far as we’re concerned).
Proving himself to be a true Hobby Hero, Sean Clarke took a clean sweep for Best Painted Army and Most Sporting Player. He had some truly outstanding freehand work and details included on his Hill Trolls, and the conversion work he has done is seamless.
Peterbowl - June
200 points (no named heroes) - 3 Games
1st: Gary Pillans - Shadows of Angmar
2nd: Jake Robson - Muster of Isengard
3rd: Joseph Lythgoe - Realms of Men
Most Sporting: Timmy - Assault Upon Helm's Deep
Peterbowl once again, and we’ve got another Isengard list on the podium…
If you’re worried that the meta has been thoroughly established, worry not! This time, Jake Robson got his uruks to 2nd place, so there is no Assault on Helm’s Deep. In 3rd place, Joe Lythgoe led the Realms of Men to greatness and is proving his expertise with the list. Finally, Gary took the top spot with Shadows of Angmar. This is a list he has dabbled with before, and it’s clear Barrow Wights at such a low points level can be a fairly tricky foe to beat. With so few dice to throw at your opponent, you’re going to struggle if your favourite unnamed hero is taking a nap!
A Ranger Caught in Hoults Yard
600 points - Teams - 3 Games
1st: Leeds by Example (Adam Bird, Ryan Leary, Aidan Flood, Nick Whitaker)
2nd: Fellowship of Steel (Mark Kittle, Scott Johnson, Tom Dunne, Richard Ancliff)
3rd: Usurpers of the North Easterlings (Peter Frame, Tommy Speight, Nat Armstrong, Gary Pillans)
Best Painted Army: Jake Pollard
Best Painted Mini: Mark Kittle
Most Sporting: Brad Defty
For the Fellowship of Steel (and their Leeds and Sheffield affiliates), lightning really can strike twice. After a total domination by these players at GI60S: The More Draws the Merrier, Adam Bird and the rest of the usual suspects have plundered the North East of NEHL points once again!
The Usurpers of the North Easterlings took 3rd place, meaning at least some glory stayed in the region. Importantly for the team, Nat Armstrong managed to go 3-0 with a Fiefdoms list, and secured their first national podium place! Very well done to him for that work.
The Fellowship of Steel made sure that their journey up to Newcastle was worth it by securing a cool 2nd place. They brought a healthy mix of armies, with some elite troops (Rivendell), some speed (Ugluk’s Scouts), a reliable battleline (Reclamation of Osgiliath, and a nice Men of the West counter (Muster of Isengard); they’re the 4 things you need to be consistent with a teams event.
Finally, Leeds By Example took the full 80 points back home, and their army choices mostly mirrored their Sheffielder brothers-in-arms. They had some elite troops (Gundabad), some speed (Ride Out), a reliable battleline (Halls of Thranduil), and a nice Men of the West counter (Minas Morgul). All three of the podium teams showed some solid strategy in their games, their list building, and even their list choices. It goes to show that the road to victory starts a lot earlier than the round timer.
For Hobby Awards, Brad Defty gave some great games and was rewarded with the prize for Most Sporting Player. He certainly deserves it after 8 hours in a bald cap! Best Painted Army went to Jake Pollard, who brought his hobbying A-game with a Goblin Town board that really shows what verticality in terrain building can look like. As for Best Single Miniature, Mark Kittle took another prize back down South with a Boromir truly worthy of the White City!
Of Dice and Men
500 points - 3 of Games
1st: Rob Knight - Rivendell
2nd: Jack Thirlbeck - Burdhur’s Horde
3rd: Ash Jobson - Riders of Eomer
Best Painted: Rob Knight - Rivendell
Best Painted Banner: Jason Hanslow - Battle of Bywater
Most Sporting: Sean Clarke - The Easterlings
After a recent tendency towards higher points, Of Dice and Men marked a return to the 500-point scene with a bang. In addition, all players could bring a free banner with their army; finally, Army of Thror can get a re-roll!
Taking 3rd place is Ash Jobson with Riders of Eomer. There’s not much that can keep up with Eomer’s speedy force, and it can certainly make an impact quickly. At lower points, Gandalf isn’t really a viable option, but Erkenbrand can help your riders get stuck in against terrifying enemies, and he’s got march so the Rohirrim can saunter away if they’d prefer to just shoot their adversary.
Of course, one thing that might catch Rohan cavalry is a sneaky Hill Troll jumping out of a terrain piece! Jack Thurlbeck used this to devastating effect to ride 3 wins all the way to 2nd place. Facing 3 armies with heroes capped at Fight 6, Burdhur will have certainly had a chuckle to himself while waiting to spring his ambush (and, no doubt, so did Jack); another podium place for our grand high regent of the NEHL (edit: I was forced to include this).
Topping off the podium was Rob Knight. Banners are a big point sink, and even more so for elite armies. Saying that, it doesn’t get much more elite than all-mounted Rivendell. With only 16 models, Rob clearly made the most of the Veto system used in the event. Cavalry lists can often be a bit skewed, but scenarios like Storm the Camp and Command the Battlefield - and Rob played both - can be high scoring games where other armies might struggle. Careful play can be very rewarding with an army that hit hards but is easily outnumbered, and careful vetoing is an important step in that process.
And with that we’re officially halfway through the first NEHL season! But there are many questions that must be answered…
Will the Fellowship of Steel continue their monthly trips to rampage across the North East?
How many teams will need to fall for the Rangers of the North East to reclaim top spot on the Teams rankings?
Most importantly, who will claim that No .1 spot and be crowned NEHL Champion?
Image is one of Sean Clarke's Best Painted-winning Burdhur's Horde Hill Trolls