Who’s going to win the Biggest MESBG league in the World?

The Great British Hobbit League enters its final 8 Weeks this weekend; and with still so many events still to happen, anyone could be crowned victor... But who is in with a chance of taking home the league's main prizes?

First I'll start with the contenders for the League's Most Sporting Person - and it says a lot about the people in contention for winning the main prize that there are three with a chance of being crowned 'Gentleman of the League' - Jonny Wright, Aidan Lummer and Tom Pickard all have a chance of the prize having all been voted Most Sporting twice over the course of the season. Of course, it could end up being a three way split... Or even divided among 4 or more people, considering so many people in the league have taken home the prize once - and with 12 events left, an even more delightful person could undertake on the inside by taking three in the next 2 months!

Next, I'll share one of the two main contenders for taking home Artisan of the Year - the Best Painter of the year.

Julian Hammond's rohan force has wowed countless opponents and the voting public at a massive 5 events over the course of the year.

The detailed paint jobs are downright incredible - and the display bases really help elevate the paint job, without becoming too distracting from the models themselves.

The Banner has particularly impressed anyone who's been lucky enough to see the force in person.

But it's not just his Rohan which has impressed...

Julian's outstanding Mordor army, with its unique conversions of classic GW Orcs is gorgeous. It's a true jaw-dropper.

Good Luck to Julian in this painting duel of wits - we'll take a look at his main competitor a little bit further down in the blog.

But now to the gaming of the GBHL. Remember, each winner of a GBHL100 takes 100pts to the league (second and third take 95 and 90 respectively) and each player gains points reflective of their final position. Similar is true of GBHL80 events. The player with the highest four rankings wins the league (with their fifth highest score being the decider if there's a draw). In the regional leagues the same is true, but with one fewer event counting towards a player's score.

So it's to the regions of the GBHL we go - and in the South it would be a real shock if Dave Farmer doesn't make the podium, he leads the pack at the moment with an impressive average of 90pts per event in the south. But it's not tied up yet - with two GBHL100 events in the south still to go (The Great Battle of Our Time in London and W.A.R in Reading) there are a number of people who could yet take the crown in the south. The Central Region is similarly led by a GBHL Regular - Harry Moore who's only attended 5 events in the region yet has performed outstandingly at almost all of those. He could yet be unseated - but it all depends on how this weekend goes... The Battle for Unnumbered Tears in Sutton in Ashfield sees over 60 players compete and four of the top 5 in the central league are going... And that doesn't include Harry... In the Northern League the Scots are dominating the top positions, but all could swing with The Scouring of Stirlingshire, Scotland's premier GBHL100 event. But with a huge showing from players hailing from other regions - it could mean the 100pts leave the North. Iain McGregor has it at the moment, and Chris Murfitt will be kicking himself he can't compete in his own event because a 100pt win in Stirling would hand the trophy to him...

Back to painting now, and to the second main competitor in the Artisan of the Year Competition...

Sean Sproule (AKA Zen Sproule, AKA the Subtle Asian Wargamer) has wowed everyone who's seen his multitude of projects this year. The man has a mind of non-metallics and ungodly creations..

From his Synthwave Uruk-Hai, to his Crabagast and his Fellowship, he seems to arrive at each event with another incredible creation. His industry is matched only by his amazing talent at painting and conversions.

Best of Luck to both Sean and Julian who both have won 5 best Painted Awards this year - it seems next to impossible for anyone to catch up (the next competitors are on 2 wins). But whether it goes to one or the other - or if its split between them both - I'm sure we can all agree the inspiration both artists have provided will urge us on to greater things next time we pick up a paintbrush.

Finally, we look at the contenders for the main GBHL. As with everything else I've mentioned, all is to play for, but there are some who have much more riding on their next events if they want to win the biggest MESBG league in the world.

The current king of the castle is Jay Clare - Ardacon winner, and multiple GBHL winner of yesteryear - who has only competed in 4 GBHL events this year. It's enough to put him on top at the moment, however if he strays but a little, he will fall... There are a number of other players who've also won a GBHL100 event but no one who's won two... yet. Dave Farmer, Will Champion, Iain McGregor and others could take the top spot if they win a second GBHL100... But there are others sneaking in the wings with impressive scores who've yet to prove themselves at a 100 pointer. Callum Edens and Alastair King both have been ever the Bridesmaid, but never the Bride. If either were to win a GBHL100 their other strong event performances could lift them to the top position.

It's a rocky time in the league, with Angmar rampant and players with Lothlorien rising to counter it anything could take the top. Easterlings have yet to take a major win despite their percieved increase in power, and Beornings have made a splash since their arrival this summer alongside the gribblies attacking via two Mirkwood legions.

With just a few months to go, who - and what - will win the biggest MESBG League in the world... Keep an eye out on the Great British Hobbit League Facebook Page, and this blog to found out.

We'll look back at more events and their winners in the next outriders post, but in the meantime if you want to get involved, check out the calendar of events here, and find where you are in the placings for both gaming and Hobbying here!

Until Next time, may this hobby be a light for you when all other lights go out.

BURARUM - HARRY - GBHL Marketing CoOrdinator