Katikati banking on experience

They won't be the youngest team running around, giving up an average 20 years per player to reigning Baywide men's premier champions Otumoetai.
But what Katikati lack in youthfulness is likely to be compensated by cunning when the club makes its re-entry into the Baywide men's premier interclub competition tomorrow.
Katikati is one of two new teams in premier interclub this year, joined by Whakatane.
Katikati captain Anton Mitchell said: "We won't be the youngest team on court, Phil [Salmon] and I are the youngest at 35 and 36, and probably won't have the quickest legs either.
 Hopefully a bit of experience can be put to good use."
It was the first appearance by a team from Katikati's Homewood club in the Baywide men's premier competition for two decades.
"I think when we last had a team the competition was still two-man teams and we had Mike Ross and Russell Kirk running around for us," Mitchell said.
Ross is on Katikati's back-up player list this season, with Mitchell, who won Tauranga Lawn's singles championship last season, new recruit Peter O'Dea, Kevin Wall and Phil Salmon the team's main weapons.
Brian Beverland and Gary Allwood will be used at varying stages, with Ross and Neil Croft reserves.
"We thought about putting a team in last year but didn't have enough guys in Katikati up to it.
"You can't really make a good fist of it with two or three guys of premier ability."
With Welcome Bay folding, Mitchell made a play for O'Dea, who was strong at No2 for the Tauranga side last season.
He said it would be up to the regional coach as to where he slotted into Katikati's lineup this year.
Welcome Bay's demise has been good news for three men's teams, with Mt Maunganui gaining No1 Steve Lasslett, O'Dea fronting for Katikati and Richard Kidd for Tauranga Lawn.
Tauranga Lawn Blue, who have the round one bye, are looking  strong, with Jamie Yates at No1 and Jason Helms at No2, while Rotorua/Lynmore have No1 and 2 Sean Martin and Maui Hudson back.
Reigning champions Otumoetai, who tipped over Welcome Bay in the final, will be spearheaded by Jason Young at the top of the order, with Campbell Higgins, Josh White and Sam Daly adding depth.
With nine teams the men's competition runs right up to the week before Christmas, with the finals on December 19.
Tomorrow's premier draw: Men:
Tauranga Lawn Yellow v Mt Maunganui at Mt Maunganui, Papamoa v Otumoetai at Papamoa, Whakatane v Lynmore/Rotorua at Whakatane, Homewood Katikati v Gate Pa at Katikati, Tauranga Lawn Blue bye.
Women: Rotorua Panthers v Gate Pa/Welcome Bay at Rotorua, Tauranga Lawn v Otumoetai at Tauranga Lawn, Mt Maunganui bye.