Oxborough: Lynn News staff try safe combat game
I AM safely hidden behind my barricade of a fallen tree and some discarded barrels, praying my unit would survive.
I flinch at the sound of gunfire as the tree is peppered with a barrage of bullets.
Out of the corner of my eye I spot one of my team crawling through the undergrowth, and hope fills me for a split second before the next round of bullets.
Far across the other side of the field I can only hope that Killer Tibbs and Psycho Palmer (my Lynn News colleagues Paul Tibbs and Rebecca Palmer) are still “alive” and making progress up the field as we take fire.
As the gunfire ceases I peer over the barrels, trying to plan a tactical route of attack.
Our objective is to make our way up the field and force the enemy back towards an ambulance while taking the boundary wall as our own.
I am less than 15 metres away from the boundary line. I could easily make it in a sprint, but it’s just too dangerous.
As I crouch back down, I hear a noise from my right. It’s the team member I know only as “The Ranger” trying to get my attention.
No-one knows his real name or even where he’s from. He never speaks in battle but from the look in his eyes, no-one dares to ask why.
He uses sign language to tell me his plan. I pull out my smoke grenades and get ready to strike.
The Ranger gives me the signal and I strike the match. I hurl the grenades as far as I can and grab my rifle.
We sprint up to the line behind the safety of our smokescreen and take shelter behind a barricade. The enemy are getting nervous and we can hear their hushed tones as they try to work out where we are.
Their random gunfire makes us sure they have no idea where the others are.
Finally we’ve caught sight of the rest of our unit. We make contact and wait for the signal. I reach for my grenades.
The Ranger nods his head at me, and I hurl the grenades as far forward as possible.
I duck and brace for the impact. At the sound of the explosion, we charge, firing as we go.
Then all four of the enemy unit stand up and put their hands in the air.
They shout, “HIT!”
The Marshall, refereeing the battle, cries “game over!” And it’s back to reality.
I look around and realise I’m not actually at war. I’m actually running around Oxborough Woods dressed in camouflage gear and trainers, shooting at the Lynn News staff.
We’ve been invited along to try Airsoft. It’s a safe combat experience that allows everyone to release their inner child as we play games such as Broken Arrow, using realistic imitation firearms. These rifles fire tiny, plastic ball bearings which can be reach up to 50 metres away.
Many people would compare the game with paintball but there are a lot more sneak attacks in Airsoft.
Tactics are necessary when the bullets are too small to see and you’ve lost your teammates.
There is also a lot less mess and pain and you can use your gun on an automatic setting.
Anyone above the age of 12 can play and even though we had a completely mixed group of people, everyone got involved and had a great time.
Combat Action Games has one base on Caldecott Farm near Oxborough which covers 13-14 acres. Their other base covers 60 acres and is in Felthorpe.
The company offers a hire package for over 16s, £40 includes the camouflage jacket, mask and gun. For under 16s it is just £30. Prices vary for groups and ammunition is not included.
For more information call (01328) 711867 for the Wells office or (01328) 853118 for the Fakenham office. Or visit the website at www.combatactiongames.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
