Four-Day Series final | Robin Peterson's young Warriors stay afloat on the opening day

Robin Peterson's young Warriors have stayed afloat against the Lions on the opening day of the Cricket SA Four-Day Series final at the Bullring on Wednesday. 

JP King, 22, starred with an unbeaten 113 off 214, keeping the Warriors' batting innings alive in what was a gloomy opening day at the Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday. 

The youngster combined for a 111-run stand with Jordan Hermann, who also scored 110 off 133, as the Warriors dominated the first session and half of the second session. 

After Hermann was dismissed, the Warriors imploded, losing six wickets for only 66 runs, as Delano Potgieter (3/34) and Wiaan Mulder (2/36) led the Lions' fight back.

Leading into the contest, Warriors coach Peterson identified the fixture as one between his young Warriors against a team that is arguably the most experienced in Division One cricket at the moment. 

However, Peterson had fully backed his young guns to fire, citing that although they lack experience, they have played big games in the SA20 and also domestically, having won the CSA T20 Challenge earlier in the season. 

His analysis certainly came to light when Hermann and Modiri Litheko (16) stood their ground, combining for a 68-run opening stand after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. 

"It is probably the youngest team up against the most experienced team, so it should give us a good measure of where we're at, but we're going there to win it," Peterson said. 

"We've got some exciting young players who have experience now. These guys have played big cricket already. The Warriors have played big cricket.

"I mean, our guys have played in the SA20 finals, and they've done well. They've experienced success for the last couple of years with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

"So, they're used to playing big cricket and high-pressure cricket. Matthew Breetzke's playing internationals, Qeshile, Jordan, and they are all in the SA 'A'sides.

"Matthew Boast has had a great season, and we've got some exciting fast bowlers in Gideon Peters and Matthew Boast."

The Warriors will be looking to get as many runs as possible on Day Two and unleash their pace attack. 

Day One Scorecard 

Warriors: 292/8 (JP King 113 not out; Jordan Hermann 110; Dealno Potgieter 3/34)