The Otago women's side was slow out of the blocks and lost 20-15 to Canterbury at Temuka on Saturday.
Otago scored three tries to two in the match but poor goal-kicking was costly as it failed to kick one conversion.
Canterbury was up 14-5 at the break.
Otago was rusty in the opening stages and coach John Kyle said that had to be expected as it was his team's first hit-out of the season.
Too many kicks went astray and the chase was also too slow which led to the two Canterbury tries.
But, as the first half went on, Otago slowly got into its work and first five-eighth Victoria Nafatali scored.
In the second half, Otago kept the ball tighter and played to the strength of its strong forward pack.
Nafatali scored another try and, with just over 10 minutes left, flanker Rachel Scott scored to get the side close.
Winger Natahlia Darling missed the conversion of Scott's try after Nafatali had failed to land the earlier two conversions.
Otago kept bashing away right to the end and had a couple of half chances but could not find the tryline.
No 8 Georgie Gane had a fine game for Otago while props Beth Mallard and Ngamamae Rapata were also solid.
The Otago scrum was strong and the lineout worked effectively.
Nafatali made a good effort at the first five-eighth position while the Otago bench made a positive impact when it came on in the second half.
Canterbury captain and second five-eighth Amiria Rule had a big hand in the match, and controlled much of her side's play throughout the game.
The sides will clash again on September 11.
Canterbury Colts thrashed Otago Colts 51-6 at Tahuna Park on Saturday.
Canterbury led 34-6 at halftime and was too strong and fast for a colts team which played well below previous efforts.
Otago under-19 started its under-20 South Island competition with a 41-7 win over Otago Country Colts at Carisbrook.
Otago under-19 had a poor first half and led just 11-7 at the break.
But the side strung some phases together in the second half and kept possession to score five tries in the second half.
Loose forwards Mitch Clarke and Gareth Evans had good games for the under-19 side while midfielders Logan Moore and Jayden Spence played well, with Spence rewarded with three tries.
