CANTERBURY will be the scene of two big county rugby occasions later this season.

The city club is to host the County Championship match between Kent and Essex on May 6 and, a week earlier, mark the revival of a county seven-a-side competition.

The Kent RFU have agreed with main sponsors Shepherd Neame to adopt the club’s successful Spitfire Sevens as the county’s official tournament.

This year’s event, on Sunday, April 30, will be named the Kent Spitfire Sevens.

The tournament will be open to all Kent clubs and Canterbury are planning a format which will include two competitions, one for senior clubs and one for junior clubs.

In addition to the Shepherd Neame brewery there will be additional sponsorship from the Kent Messenger Group and Canterbury of New Zealand through Faversham-based kit suppliers Lea Ray Sports.