Counties Manukau have lost their opening game of the Brian Dunning one-day representative competition on Sunday after falling to Waikato Valley by 112 runs in Morrinsville.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat and put together a score of 271 all out in 49.5 overs.

Northern Districts seamer Scott Johnston picked up 4-56 off his 10 overs, with Luke Williamson taking two and Shaneil Patel-Ponda, Kurt Barnes and James Naylor also collecting a wicket each.

The Counties Manukau run chase got off to a solid start before young opener Tayden Smit fell when the score was on 47. Two more quick wickets, in the form of key batsmen Williamson and Sandeep Patel, halted the progress of the visitors and they were unable to put together any meaningful partnerships from that point on.

Sam Varcoe top scored with 44 but when he fell with the score 114-6 any hope of a win evaporated.