Michael Shay and Terry Cotter square off.	Charley Hickok opposes Allen Kaplan who made it to the semis.
Joshua Coyle gets schooled by finalist Chuck Stapp.	Richard Bliss opposes the UK's Peter Eldridge playing the Redcoats.

Nappy & the Blocks ...

Youth Will be Served ...

This year we switched to a single elimination format with a preceding mulligan round to allow a minimum of two opportunities to play if so desired. Winning the mulligan round allowed you to choose to play in the first round and win or lose still advance to the second. Two players won their mulligan test and lost the first round, allowing them to continue. This seemed to provide a good balance between a "one and done" format and a tournament that tended to run too long, so the format will return next year.

Despite brutal "weather" in Lampeter, the field showed modest growth over its 2011 debut. The mulligan, first, and second round used Rolica (French First Position). Overall, the French won 15 of the 28 battles. The average scores were 5-2 for all the battles regardless of which side won. Big upsets occurred in the opening rounds as the top three laurelists from 2011 went winless.

The quarterfinals used the Combat at Aire scenario. Allen Kaplan's British defeated Chris Yaure 6-3 for the lone British victory. The three French victories belonged to Greg Ottoman over Tim Hitchings 6-3, Andy Stapp over Ed Rader 6-5, and Chuck Stapp over Jack Morrell 6-3. Jack's loss eliminated a fourth 2011 laurelist, leaving only Andy Stapp's 6th place laurels still standing.

So the semifinals included three players from the same group. Chuck faced Allen and Andy drew the outsider, Greg, in Talavera (French Attack). The father and son duo engineered British victories, 7-2 and 7-4, respectively to make the Final a family affair. Youth and experience (in the form of his three prior laurels) would be served this day as Andy took the Spanish in Talavera (Spanish Flank) and used La Grande Manoeuvre to put the British in a dangerous position. A well-played Guerilla prevented any response before he could take advantage for the win.

John Grasse and Mark Hinkle trade volleys.	Ed Rader opposes WSM GM Tim Hitchings on land for a change.