Otago made a slow start to its national championship campaign, falling 26-5 to Wellington at the Hutt Recreation ground on Saturday.
Trailing 19-0 at half-time, the Otago women's team had its chances in the second spell but all it could muster was a try by the posts to centre Rachel Scott near the end of the game.
The conversion attempt by Kelly Brazier was charged down.
Otago was penalised heavily in the first half, with former Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney (nee Hull) slotting four penalty goals in the first half to give the home side a 12-0 lead with 30 minutes gone.
Wellington winger Manu Kerehana then scored a try with five minutes left in the first half, finishing off a neat back move.
The Otago cause was not helped by experienced first five-eighth Anna Richards being forced out of the game at half-time with a tight hamstring.
The Otago side came back in the second half, securing more ball and its forwards taking on a big Wellington pack.
But much of the wind was taken out of Otago's sails when Wellington blindside flanker Tulia Waterhouse went over after a forward surge.
Mahoney knocked over the sideline conversion.
Otago did not give up and applied some pressure, eventually getting its reward with the try to Scott with about 10 minutes to go.
The Otago forwards drove the ball up and Scott, in her first game at centre, went back into the forwards and scored near the posts.
Brazier had a sound game for Otago, starting at halfback before moving out one place after Richards left the field.
Hooker Jess Tuhega had a strong game for the visitors.
Otago will take on Hawkes Bay next Saturday in Napier.
Hawkes Bay lost to Canterbury on Saturday.
Otago will hope to welcome back winger Carla Hohepa, who missed Saturday's game because of a shoulder injury.
In the Highlanders First XV competition, Dunstan High won the middle four section with a 41-0 victory over Gore in Alexandra on Saturday.
Dunstan led 36-0 at half-time.
In the final of the bottom four, Central Southland beat John McGlashan 34-14 in Winton.
The Southland side led 15-7 at half-time and pulled away in the second half.
Southland Boys won the competition 24-8 over Waitaki Boys in Invercargill on Friday night.
Otago B woke up in the second half to beat Mid Canterbury 30-13 in Ashburton.
The home side was ahead 13-3 at half-time, but Otago scored three tries in the second half through prop Dane Maraki, first five-eighth Julius Glasson and winger Ryan Shortland.
Michael Witt added the extras, missing just one attempt all day.