1st Battle of Azuki-zaka, 1542 - BatRep

Game  4 in the four game Samurai Battles' series in December concludes with the First Battle of Azuki-zaka.  The battle pits Oda against Imagawa for control of Matsudra arrayed as shown in the photo below.

Initial dispositions

Oda begins by advancing all along his battle line towards the Imagawa battle line.  Imagawa line prepares to receive the attack.

Oda advances

Imagawa defenders await

Suspension builds

The two battle lines crash into each other near the center of the battlefield.  Both combatants take casualties as the fighting ebbs and flows.  Successful attacks are, themselves, counterattacked.  Gaps in the line from repulses are quickly plugged. 

Lines contact

Imagawa counterattacks

Oda line repulsed

The fighting builds to a crescendo in the center as units throw off casualties freely.  Units are destroyed and the outcome is in the balance.  

Heavy fighting on Imagawa right

Imagawa Samurai breakthrough the Oda center while pressure mounts on the flanks.  Banner count stands at 4-3 to Imagawa.  

Breakthrough!

Success in the center;
pushed back on the right

Imagawa need only one more banner to seize victory. The Imagawa problem is that there are no cards left to play in the center.  The victorious Samurai halt short of the Command Tent.

Imagawa Samurai posed for assault on command tent

Meanwhile, Oda pursues deep into the center destroying another Imagawa foot.  Next commander to destroy an enemy unit wins!

Ranks are thinning

On the last turn before Imagawa Samurai awake from their paralysis, Oda takes the final banner.

Oda Victory!

Down to the last die roll

Oda Victorious!

Another Samurai Battles game that came down to the wire.  In this game, whomever won that final combat would take the victory.  Fortune smiled upon the Oda commander this time.