Friday Feature - Dan Rive

Hello Mr Rive, how’s your winter been?

It started off by winning a new bag and pads in raffles which meant I have had to prolong my career, now starting my 27th season at LA, there are not many left still playing, probably Rick who was the Sunday Captain when I joined and there is a story there as well? The winter although long has been fruitful culminating in a victory over the Mike Askew led A Team in the indoor league. Winter has gone well for the Wolves with them leading the way and Sandwell struggling. Had a poor Cheltenham as always, but now looking forward to a warm and productive summer. Let’s hope this rain goes away and we can get out on the field without wellington boots and snorkels.

What’s your personal aims for the season?

Finish the 18.1 miles to Hove on 29th April without injury. For the club to continue its momentum forward off and on the pitch and of course to take a few scalps on the way and of course to teach Bazely on the art of captaincy.

Who do you think will take the most wickets this season for the club?

Good question but if I was a betting man and had to gamble a £1 I would put it on Tim Nicholson this year.

Favourite Ground?

Other than The Sportsfield, always enjoyed bowling at East Grinstead and batting at Eastbourne. But for the picturesque view it has to be Arundel Castle

Least Favourite Ground?

Portslade - Our hamster has a bigger cage to live in than what we had to change in. Brighton runs it very close, you needed climbing ropes to bowl up the hill and a taxi to get to the pitch.

Best player you’ve played with?

Can only be Chris Cooke

Best player you’ve played against?

There have been a few test stars that I have played against but David Hussey probably gets the nod but in Sussex Cricket Chris Mole at Cuckfield. Or is it Rageh Aga the Kenyan international?

Best moment in cricket?

Probably leading the 2nd XI to the Div 2 title in 2003

Worst moment in cricket?

Dropping 4 catches in one game comes close but what tops it was getting out on the hat trick ball against Bognor in the year we were relegated when a victory was the only the option.

Carlsberg or Amstel

Amstel

West Brom or Aston Villa?

Neither both s***** but as a choice it would be the Vile

Coco Lounge or The Crown?

Coco

Grand National Tip?

Blaklion win and EW on Gold Present

Last two questions sent in by the fans:

Why do you support the Portuguese national football team?

Nuno he had a dream

To build a football team

With Chinese owners

and a wonderkid from Porto

With 3 at the back

and pace in attack

We're Wolverhampton We're on the way back

The real reason is I was a Gooner and I went to see Wolves play Arsenal and Wolves won and I haven’t looked back. No regrets

You tell many stories about your cricketing career, but was is your favourite?

Far too many to list I could be writing all day on this, starting with the time the bath at LA flooded and we watched Brian Smith kit float out of the changing room door to when on Cricket Tour Big Al stepped into the caravan and the legs of the caravan collapsed or when he got stuck in the shower at Goodwood. Or when I got smashed out of the ground at Torquay and the ball went through someone’s car. But what probably tops it was when we were on Tour in Torquay and we were playing at the infamous Babbacombe Bowl and we were having a quiet pint watching a T/20 and the ball was hit to Long Off, a simple catch people thought but as the player was judging it he fell over the dog bin into 3 foot high stinging nettles, the poor lad. Or there was the time that Woodsy didn’t walk after being given out LBW in Guernsey!

I could go on and on and Eastbourne CC would have a chapter all by themselves.