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As the Great British Hobbit League's longest ever season draws to a close lets reflect on the flurry of events we've seen in the last few weeks. Covid caused a number of events to be squished into a tight spot in early Winter, seeing battles along the length and breadth of these shores. Two Huge events in Stockport and Sutton saw sky rocketing attendances and podium's filled with a mixture of newcomers and veterans alike. Podium regular Jasmine Tetley struck gold with an almost dizzying array of alliances at Unnumbered Tears (Boromir of Gondor, Cirion, Hurin, Leggy, and Galadriel LOL) with Rowan May in second with his Galadriel, Theodred, Grimbold alliance.
Meanwhile At Scouring of Cheshire David Farmer took Mordor and Isengard (Witchking, Shagrat, Lurtz with Morannons and Pikes) to success against three Vanquishers of the Necromancer, and allowing newcomer Ryan Gregory to skip into second place, and starting a run of podiums for the newcomer. The following week Ryan took home Gold at the War of the Roses, a fantastic team based tournament, which sees folk from Yorkshire try to best Lancastrians. Ryan rose to the top in a field full of tournament veterans including Harry Moore and James Gilray who took Silver and Bronze respectively.
As if that wasn't enough, Ryan followed this with ANOTHER podium in Nottingham based A Kings Call to Arms. This unique event mixes Battle Companies and Matched Play to create a thrilling experience not replicated anywhere but at 7th City Collectables. Aaron Pullen may have won the event, with Alastair King taking second, but the third place finish from Ryan fixed him to the top of the running for Best Newcomer in the league...
That is until Rowan May stormed to victory at WAR in Reading just a week later, putting him back to the top of that race once more. Jakub Krochmal made the trip from Poland for this tournament and was rewarded with a Second Place finish, and Aaron Pullen was once again on the podium as . This weekend just gone saw Not Throne of Skulls at Warhammer World (Battles in Middle Earth) crown Kalman Eric as winner. His Thorin's Company not only won 4 out of 5 games, but he also was rewarded with a glut of Best Army votes and Favourite Game votes cementing his place in the community as an all round hobbyist and lovely bloke. But it would be remiss to not mention Damian O'Byrne who took home the silver trophy, while dressed in a remarkable Treebeard costume (complete with plush toy Merry and Pippin).
Sam Devenish, meanwhile, took home the coveted Most Sporting trophy, and took his Easterlings to a Bronze place finish in the bargain - no mean feat at all (believe me I've tried!). With that, only a few things remain... The finale is this weekend. It could cement Alastair King as this season's winner, after him being top since March 2020, or could it see him overthrown in the last moment?
It will also crown a winner as King of the North. The regional trohies are largely sewn up, but that one remains unclear - and with lots of Scots due at Stirling, it could all change.
And Finally, who will be Best Newcomer to the League... I've hinted at it throughout this post, both Rowan and Ryan have been playing musical chairs with that throne... To find out more about the men behind the rivalry, have a read of my Tale of Two Gamers article on the GBHL Blog!
And with that, I bid you Farewell - and remember may this hobby be a light even in the deepest darkest places of the world.
BURARUM Harry (GBHL Marketing Officer)
PS. There are currently elections happening for this role so although I'm standing for re-election, this could be my final Outriders Post if democracy has its way. I hope you've enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoy compiling them!)
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