be proud of, this two-storey, block and
concrete structure is one huge maze of
corridors, rooms and hides that will test
the skill and nerve of even the most
experienced CQB exponent.
Speaking to Dan later on, he told us
that they had tarpaulined the ground
floor to try it out and it was everything
they hoped it would be – and more!
One thing I really liked about this
site is that it lends itself very well to
continual play. Its size means there is
always something new that you can
try and, speaking to players who play
here regularly (of which there were
020
October 2011
many), they said the sheer variety of
possibilities is one of the factors that
keeps them coming back.
As with most site visits there is
always something, or someone, that
sticks in your mind and for me the
“something” and “someone” were
(quite literally) harnessed together…
We had been moving forward with
one team and decided to push ahead,
to see how the defenders were
preparing for the inevitable assault on
their position. Moving along the road
we were greeted by members of the
advancing team, moving rapidly in the
opposite direction. Our polite enquiries
as to why this was were met with a
one-word answer: ‘Rampage!’ (those
of you that know what ‘Rampage’ is,
will know what’s coming!!).
‘Rampage’ isn’t a ‘what’, he’s a 6ft
stick insect, sporting a ZZ-Top goatee
and toting an evil-looking, 50 rounds
per second, six-barrelled mini-gun!
With firepower like that coming at you,
a rapid tactical withdrawal is probably
the best (and certainly the least painful)
option!
The day came to a close with an
all-out assault on the Village, which
the defenders managed to survive and
hang onto, to win the game but, you
know what? It didn’t seem to matter
who won or lost. Everyone we spoke
to said they’d had a fabulous day –
from the first timer in jeans and
tee-shirt, sporting a site AK and
the hugest of smiles, to the
guys who had travelled over 100
miles to get there and even the
lady player, who’d taken a round to her
left-forehead from close range (which
must have stung a bit) was grinning
from ear to ear!
So a good day was had by all. Sure,
there were odd moments when the
adrenaline was pumping and things got
heated but the professionalism of the
marshals ensured these were quickly
defused and things never got out of
hand.
I think it safe to say that everyone
left happy but before I close, a few
congratulations are in order…
To Neal, Dan, H, the marshals and
everyone else involved in Ground Zero
for putting together an awesome site
and a great day.
To the guy who shot the lady player
on her left forehead for going over to
apologise and make sure she was OK
immediately afterwards.
To Rob for showing us around but,
most of all to the players, for making
the day what it was and for playing
with honour and integrity – nice one!
Just one last thing: It took us over
an hour to walk around it but what we
saw was just half of the total playing
area. Ground Zero deliberately don’t
use the whole site for every game. This
helps to keep the wear and tear down
and the site fresh even if you play it
regularly.
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find a
preview of The National Airsoft Event
which, if you are reading this article
before 1 September, is where you are
now. All I can say is that you’ve got a
great weekend ahead! Keep safe [