After a first day win over South Coast the Kel Walls-managed side came back to earth with a thud yesterday, beaten by Hunter Valley by 84 runs at Berowra Oval .

Walls thought his talented side lost the game in the first 20 overs “when we didn’t bowl tightly enough” allowing HV to muster 8-270 in their 50 overs.

NW was bowled out for 186 in the 49th over.

“We just didn’t bowl tight enough in those first 20 overs,” Walls said.

“It was a smallish ground with a lightning quick outfield.

“So we needed to bowl better early on. We did later on but by then the horse had bolted.”

The horse in this case was opening batsmen Logan Johnson and Jayden Park.

Johnson finished with 116, smashing 13 fours and three sixes.

He and Central North representative Park, who made 45, put on a 112-run opening stand.

Walls said the side’s fielding also dropped off yesterday.

“We had fielded well against South Coast (day one) but our fielding wasn’t up to scratch today,” he said of an effort that did include three run outs.

In their run chase Inverell’s late call up, Richard Wilson, was elevated to the opening position and gave the side a good start with a bright 24. Number three bat, James Psarakis, topscored with 81.

He and co-captain, Matt Everett (17) were going along all right until a mixup in running saw Everett lose his footing and be run out.

Lachlan Davidson was next best with 22 at number nine.

That followed a good bowling performance from the 15-year-old.

He also claimed 1-48 while Psarakis took 2-33 from his 10 overs.

Hunter Valley’s Lucas Sargent (2-27) and Jayden Park (0-30) were best for HV.

“We must beat Sydney South West tomorrow (today),” Walls said last night.

“We have to win well and then hope a few of the other sides lose badly too.”