BRIDPORT Juniors were treated to a spellbinding visit by 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen, who presented the club’s awards on a special evening.

Former England winger Cohen, 44, scored 31 tries for his country across 57 appearances between 2000 and 2006.

Cohen, nephew of George Cohen, a Football World Cup winner in the famous England team of 1966, gave an incredible five-minute question and answer session to the boys, girls, and parents.

When asked by a 15-year-old what had built him into a World Cup winner, the audience could have heard a pin drop when he replied: “I was deaf from a very early age, but I knew I was fast.

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“I was determined to succeed. With coaches who cared, they never let my low moments defeat me.

“They told me: ‘It’s up to you. You can make it if you try.' And oh boy, did I try.”

Cohen brought a laugh when he said some people thought he was a selfish winger and should have passed more.

But, he said, being deaf, he could never hear the calls from the player inside, so he just kept going.

Cohen charged no fee for his appearance and presented all the awards, including to girls for the first time in the club’s history.

He then stood for a photo with each of the winners. What a humble and inspirational man.

Club chairman Julian Hussey also presented a magnificent, engraved decanter to Noel Gregory, who was standing down after ten years at the helm of junior rugby.

Those two rapscallions Pete Dacey and Lewis Dunn shared the ‘Clubman of the Year’ award for their endeavours in managing to bring back everyone from the junior tour to France, including adults.

Dorset Echo: Ben Cohen with Bridport RFC clubmen of the year Pete Dacey and Lewis Dunn Ben Cohen with Bridport RFC clubmen of the year Pete Dacey and Lewis Dunn (Image: BRIDPORT RFC)

Finally, the club wished to thank Ben Cohen once more for his inspirational talk to a captivated youth section.