The Kent Spitfire Sevens will have its biggest entry in recent years when 20 teams take part at Canterbury RFC on Sunday May 4.

From modest beginnings as the Canterbury Sevens in 1964 the popular tournament is now the biggest of its kind in Kent, attracting not only the cream of the county but teams from far beyond.

Two years ago the competition expanded its role to embrace and revive the County Sevens which had been moribund for a number of years through lack of support.

It became the Kent Spitfire Sevens, backed by the Kent county RFU's main sponsor the Shepherd Neame brewery, and its success is reflected in the size of this year's entry, numbering 20 teams chasing prizes totalling £2,750.

This is a landmark year for the abbreviated game as Melrose RFC – generally acknowledged as the instigators of sevens in rugby – recently staged their 125th anniversary tournament in the Scottish Borders.

Kent Spitfire Sevens, Canterbury RFC, Nackington Road, Sunday May 4, 2008:

Competing teams: (Clubs) Sidcup, Maidstone, Dover, Canterbury, Canterbury Development, Olafs Axes, Warlingham, Aylesford, Aylesford 2, Deal, Bromley, University of Kent Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Whitstable (Guest Sides) Apaches, Cowboys, Oxford Brookes Real Estate, UKC Cougars, Kamikazes, Stairway To Sevens.