Wargh - Tactical Team Sports

Over at the right flank, Ali, one of the JB players climbed up a tree to get a look at how the battle unfolding. The hilltop defenders could be seen moving to reinforce the left side so we continued moving up from the right.

Our scouts on reaching the track came under fire by the posted sentries. At the same time, Mus covering our left flank was hit in the mask and had to leave the field. Spotting the 2 defenders that got Mus, I fired a few rounds then pulled back to draw them in and signaled to Ali to get ready to ambush them.

Squatting down in the heat, I could feel the beads of perspiration dripping down my back as if they were grains of sand in an hour glass counting off the seconds. The sounds from the rest of the battlefield faded as I focused and tried to spot signs of 'human' movement within the swaying lallang.

There! Something blue amongst the green. Time slowed even further until the vague blue became the shape of a mask. I gently lifted my gun up and nudge the barrel in the direction of the blue mask and pointed it at the spot I anticipated the player to move towards. The blue mask showed itself and I fired off a burst. Whoever was in the blue mask reacted by pulling back and the rounds shattered and burst on the lallang. I fired another burst and then the gun jammed! Argh!

I dropped to the ground as blue mask returned fire in my general direction. Trying to clear a jam while under fire and back pedaling up a hillside is not fun. Between whacking the hopper, pushing the feeder rod in order to manually advance a ball into the firing chamber, I had to sneak a peek to ensure blue mask didnt get brave and charge me. And I also had to keep an eye out for his buddy as well coz blue mask wasnt alone.

Click click click. The damn gun still refused to re-cock and fire. Getting absolutely irritated by the malfunctioning gun, I rested the gun on its butt and pulled the cocking handle back to manually re-cock the gun. Bringing it up to my shoulder, I spotted blue mask attempting to cross to my left and let off a burst. Blue mask dropped to the ground again. And then a raised hand followed by his head with a splat on the right of his lens :) tango down.

There was still 1 more tango close by... coz i could hear blue mask looking into the bushes and speaking with someone as he moved off the field. Where is Ali you ask, while I was playing cat and mouse, Ali moved up to reinforce the right flank. With a temperamental gun and a tango somewhere in front of me, I decided to move further up slope away from where I was when I shot blue mask.

Nearing the track, I could see Ali and Roy slowly advancing under fire to attempt to outflank the defenders. Despite a heavy exchange of fire, it was a stalemate, neither side could take out the other. Then came fire from down slope. The tango I was waiting for must have heard the heavy firing and decided to flank Ali and Roy.

Moving in the direction of the firing, I attempted to circle behind him. Just when I had him spotted and lifted up my gun, I heard firing from my 9 o'clock and down slope. 1 shot hit my ass - which was ok since the rule was we are dead only when we are hit on the torso or head but 2 other paintballs shattered on my ammo pouch. DEAD!

It seems there were quite a few defenders crawling in the lallang, not just blue mask and his buddy. With time for this scenario running out in 5mins, I walked up to the track to see if Ali and Roy could make any more headway before the game ended. And then the time was up.

Walking back down to the rest area, I could see that bunker 3 was overflowing with defenders. The left flank was heavily defended by the group from SGH. The hill top and right flank was defended by a group of Caucasians working in Singapore. The rest of defenders included a 15 year old student and a 40+ dude.

And this was just the first scenario... the rest of the day saw both sides fighting over hills, banana trees, a bridge and 3 huts. Some players got wet as they attempted a river crossing. Kudos to Peter Hill and his buddy who managed to get across the river and into the defenders base, hope you liked the welcome gifts we prepared for you :)

Of the 42 players from Singapore, at least 1/2 to 3/5 of them busted their scenario paintball cherries in that mission. It was a day of firsts. For them, this was their first taste of combat. I m glad to say that despite them having minimal to no experience at scenario paintball, they performed well and put up a good fight.

Most importantly, they were all sporting and tackled each scenario with gusto and enthusiasm. Great players everyone of them and I look forward to playing with them again.

For all the undecided players out there, just know this. Whether you are 15 or 40+, male or female, the paintballs will seek you out without bias and attempt to leave its mark but the objective has always been to avoid getting hit :)

From the feedback I have gathered, everyone seems to have had a great day. Do share your comments and experience in this note :)

Once again, thanks for coming and making it a great day for all :)