CANTERBURY stage the Kent County Spitfire Seven-a-Side rugby tournament on Sunday as the competition is relaunched after a break of several years.

Seventeen teams from throughout the county are scheduled to take part in a competition which has been revitalised through the initiative of the city club and sponsors Shepherd Neame.

Club bars will be open all day as well as the traditional pig roast, a popular feature at the Spitfire Sevens. The tournament at Merton Lane starts at noon.

The success of the Canterbury Spitfire Sevens in recent seasons prompted the club to approach the Kent RFU for their approval to upgrade the event to a full county competition.

Three trophies and other prizes worth a total of £3,000 are on offer to the competing teams. The winners of the competition’s top trophy, the Hallwood Shield, will get £1,000 of kit and the runners-up £500. The Kentish Gazette Plate winner receives £750 and the losing finalists £250.

The Cornwallis Trophy, goes to the Kent club making the greatest contribution to the day, with a £500 prize.

Sponsorship is by the Kent Messenger Group, including local radio station kmfm, Shepherd Neame and kit suppliers Lea-Ray Sports of Faversham.

Spokesman David Haigh said: "The club Spitfire Sevens have been a huge success and we saw this as an opportunity to put the Kent competition back on the rugby calendar.

"Shepherd Neame already sponsor the county and their chief executive, Jonathan Neame, was delighted to give his backing to our ideas."