News 4 years ago

Exeter Fives: Uni hockey odyssey underway

Robin Brinkworth

Thank you very much for a lovely game of fives

Four hockey clubs, five freshers, one train journey.

It’s a tradition for Edinburgh’s and Exeter’s Men’s hockey clubs to swap freshers twice a year for the day.

Today is Edinburgh’s turn – except it’s all gotten a bit out of hand.

This time, it’s not just a one day trip, or one fresher going.

No, FIVE first years are pitching up at Exeter for a night and presumably a party too.

Edinburgh and Glasgow hockey clubs are sending a girl and a guy each, with a Bristol fresh joining for the last leg too.

EUHC seeing off the fresh @justyglass @natexeter5s #exeter5s #sunshine @euhc_mens @EULHC @ExeterUniHC @GUSAHockey pic.twitter.com/Hh74zNgHNC

— EUWHC (@EUWHC) March 19, 2015

The final game between Justin Glass and Mark Jones pic.twitter.com/Fv9c9hlHe9

— EUMHC Online (@euhc_mens) March 18, 2015

@ExeterUniHC here are the two shittest fives players on offer in the GUHC #soon pic.twitter.com/6bj6ti8we7

— GUHC (@GUSAHockey) March 18, 2015

And it's Sam Cole representing the UBMHC at @ExeterUniHC pic.twitter.com/uFhjZOwmaS

— UBMHC (@BristolHockey) March 18, 2015

Exeter Fives is one of the more ridiculous uni traditions out there.

All the freshers at the club play Fives over the course of a night, with the loser journeying to the other end of the UK.

Harry Goodrich, last year’s loser

Dan Ladd came up last term from Exeter, and Harry Goodrich from Edinburgh went south this time last year.

The tradition has turned into a hockey club love-in across the country in the last couple of years, with the loser showered with gifts at every train stop with a major uni hockey club.

@DUHC1 @justyglass @natexeter5s Coach D.. cheers lads #hockeyfamily #Exeter5s

— EUMHC Online (@euhc_mens) March 19, 2015

Bristol even kidnapped Exeter fresher Jack Banister a couple of years back.

But this year, it’s already gone horribly wrong for a couple of the freshers.

@euhc_mens Forced to buy 6 hours of wifi……… #exeter5s

— Justin Glass (@justyglass) March 19, 2015

justyglass @natexeter5s @kirstymckean_ @ExeterUniHC @GUSAHockey forgot my railcard #legend #exeter5s #NoPainNoGain pic.twitter.com/dwWBJYWdJ8

— Seb Cottle (@Cottfish) March 19, 2015

To further up the ante, there’s photo challenges for the Edinburgh freshers this year too:

@natexeter5s @justyglass your first position. Photo evidence by your next stop please #exeter5s pic.twitter.com/ISZynN0esc

— Joanna Hagan (@JayEmAich) March 19, 2015

@TheTabEdinburgh @natexeter5s @justyglass @Goodrich12H @euhc_mens Upping the game this year #hotcouple #Exeter5s @EUWHC

— Joanna Hagan (@JayEmAich) March 19, 2015

So much stash will be exchanged over the course of the trip that Tie Club have provided ties especially for it.

Hi @justyglass So who is the lucky team to get the first @TieClubcouk @euhc_mens tie ? We want Pictures !!! @ESparkUK #hotcouple #Exeter5s

— TieClub.co.uk (@TieClubcouk) March 19, 2015

The schedule is pretty punishing.