THE Kent Messenger Group will once again be sponsoring the Canterbury Rugby Sevens this year.

Prize money totalling £2,650 will be on offer with the main competition winners battling it out for the Hallwood Trophy, and a first prize of £1,000. The runners-up receive £750, and each losing semi-finalist will get £250.

The Plate Winner also receive the Kentish Gazette Trophy and a first prize of £500 with the runner-up taking away £150

The event, on May 4, from 12.30pm, will be run on a league format, with the winners going forward to the main competition and runners up taking part in the Plate event.

The entry fee costs £25, with cheques payable to Canterbury RFC and there is a £100 deposit required, which will be refundable if teams attend or give notice of withdrawal by April 26.

Each game and the semi-finals will be seven minutes each way, with the final ten minutes each way. The tournament will be played according to Kent RFU rules and each team will have a squad of 10 players.