We spoke to the Exeter fives fresher when he stopped off in Bristol

On a cold, wet Friday night we watched as a train from Edinburgh pulled into Temple Meads. On board was Ali Reid, a first year at Exeter University taking on the Edinburgh Fives challenge in honour of Exeter Hockey Club.

The challenge forms part of a long tradition of initiation processes in the Exeter Hockey Club. Named the Silly Fresher, Ali was made to travel to Edinburgh and back again in one day, stopping off to greet members of various other hockey clubs along the way and collecting club ties.

But when Bristol’s hockey club met him, it’s rumoured they took him out to Lakota instead of letting him return home. Ali was pictured returning to Exeter the next morning.

Ali with players from Bristol Hockey Club

Ali Reid was selected as the honourable gent to undergo this challenge after he successfully fought off all other competitors in a game of fives on Thursday night.

Ali was the fateful victor of the challenge and was on a 5am train the next morning bound for Edinburgh.

Andy seeing off the competition

Throughout the day he ran into his fair share of obstacles. Not only was there severe delays, but at times the train was not even moving at all, potentially jeopardising Ali’s efforts. He even forgot his railcard.

However, after the lines cleared up he was back on course, albeit a few hours later than expected.

He was a lovely guy

We met up with Ali at Temple Meads where he had already collected an impressive amount of club ties and club memorabilia.

How has the day been? 

“It’s been eventful, I have stopped off at every station… it has just not gone to plan. But fundamentally I’ve got here in the end, I’m at Bristol Temple Meads now and it’s just Edinburgh Fives.”

Have you enjoyed it? 

“I’ve really enjoyed it, this is part of the Edinburgh Fives tradition which is such a great tradition. All the boys really come together.”

Are you new to the Hockey Club? 

“No, it’s not my first social. I’m not very experienced but I’m a silly fresher all and all.”

We’ve heard you’ve got a flight to catch tomorrow?

“It’s true, I’ve got a flight tomorrow at quarter to 2. I’m originally from Edinburgh.”

By the end of the day, Andy had managed to mass eight ties, one bow tie, two t-shirts, two pairs of shorts, a hoodie, a bucket hat and some snuff, and was warmly welcomed back into Exeter on Saturday Morning by the Exeter Hockey Team.

Credit – @ExeterUniHC

A night on the town

Following his grand arrival at Temple Meads station, Ali partook in a traditional downing of a WKD and was smuggled into the back of a car by players from the Bristol University Hockey Club.

Down it freshuuuuur

With the promise of cheep drinks and Lakota keeping him going, Ali and the players pulled out of Temple Meads. Whether he ever got to Lakota, or back to Edinburgh, we are still to find out.

Credit – @BristolHockey