CANTERBURY RFC celebrate 40 years of Seven-a-Side rugby at Cardy Field on Sunday when they stage the most valuable competition in the club's history.

Backed by main sponsors Shepherd Neame, 20 teams will battle for more than £4,000 in prize money in the Spitfire Sevens which has attracted clubs and invitation sides from all parts of the south.

Six newcomers to the competition include national and internationally recognised squads such as Samurai, Crusaders and Apaches.

Others making a first appearance are West Indian Exiles, Barclays Eagles and an Army Under-20 side drawn from units throughout the UK.

Leading Kent club Blackheath, fresh from winning promotion to National Division 2, will be strong contenders for the main Hallwood Trophy, worth £1,500 to the winners.

They will be challenged by neighbouring Westcombe Park, this season's Kent Cup winners, and old rivals Maidstone.

Canterbury, winners of the competition for a record-breaking four years in succession, will be hard pushed to retain their supremacy such is quality of the entry.

"The growing reputation of the competition has sparked enormous interest in the Spitfire," said club spokesman David Haigh.

"Sunday's tournament is going to be the strongest we have ever staged and we can promise an afternoon of high quality rugby.

“There are also plenty of off-field attractions, with a pig roast, bars and beer for a year as the lucky programme prize."

The tournament has the continued backing of the Kent Messenger Group, radio station KM-fm, Lea-Ray Sports of Faversham, Canterbury of New Zealand and Gilbert Sports. The tournament kicks off at noon.