IVYBRIDGE were not able to mark their debut in Championship South with a win as they went down 19-0 away at North Bristol on Sunday.
The Bridgers were unbeaten last season but always knew the step up to the second tier of English women’s rugby would not be easy.
However, they will have been encouraged by their performance away from home against a team that finished fifth in the league last season.
Ivybridge handed league debuts to Lottie Mason, Emily Joyce, Libby Watson-Gover, Abby Smith, Skye Shepherd, Caitlin Felstead and Rachel Hicks.
Devonport Services did open their new season with a win as they overcame Camborne 17-0 at home in NC2 South West (West).
They led 7-0 at half-time with Megan McCombie scoring their opening try, which Amy Blaylock converted.
And after the interval they made sure of the win thanks to further touch-downs by Lib Daymond and Roberta Smith-Scotland.
In NC 3 South West (West), Plymouth Argaum were unlucky not to open their season with a win.
They produced a strong second half comeback but just fell short, losing 15-12 at home to Falmouth.
The visitors, playing downhill first half, had taken a 15-0 lead, but the second half belonged to Argaum, despite a serious injury to one of their players which meant a change of pitch.
Centre Evie Leigh scored twice for Argaum in the second half, but they just could not get the third try that they threatened.
In the same division, newcomers Plymouth Albion lost 53-10 away at St Austell, while Saltash were without a fixture.
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