I played the game today, my first time playing with a patch. Been playing since 2001, but never with the patch. Does this patch up the AIs tactical ability, or have I just been away from the STW AI for too long?

The battle was in Tosa. I had 3 YA, 1 SA, 1 YC, and my 4 star Diaymo. The ronin had 2 ND, 1 YS, 1 SA, 1 YA. I had about 4-8 men more than the ronin and the ronin general was -1 or 0 honor. The AI hid in the woods so my SA were worthless against his ND, his archers hit my archers as I vainly tried to hit the ND in the woods. I attacked the ND from two sides with my 3 YS, held my DIaymo outside the woods but near enough to provide a morale boost. My YC was to the south of the woods waiting to get some routers (I thought there would be routers). My YS were getting spanked, and while I watched this unfold, the AI snuck out the YA and spanked my YC before I noticed what he was doing. My army soon routed and I gave up in quite a state! Now what I want to know is: Do I just stink? Is the AI better in the patch? Or have I been away from STW too long? I played forever when STW was new and I don't recall getting my bum handed to me so easily before! I just wanted to tell this sad story! Poor, poor Shimazu! I am playing on normal difficulty too if you can beleive that!!?