The car park was full at Nabiac's picturesque Aub Ferris Oval, with the return of Wauchope to the competition.

It was the Wauchope Thunder women's 10s side that set the pace for the day, giving last year's minor premiers Wallamba a lesson, coming out strong winners at 47 -0, with some solid tackles from the big Thunder pack combined with striking runs.

The game was played in great spirit and was a great opener for the main game, with much anticipation surrounding a defending premier side that looked nothing like the past two years.

Wauchope Thunder was looking sharp in warm-ups and in size certainly outweighed Wallamba .

Wallamba's new coach, Peter White, who last year coached Hornsby in the Central Coast competition, looked like he had a sizable job in front of him and spoke at length to his squad before the whistle blew for the start of the 2019 season.

Wauchope certainly made their presence felt, utilising their big boys in an attempt to break the home team's defence, but it was broken play where Wallamba showed their discipline and speed, breaking the line with vice-captain Daniel Hessing crossing over to put the first five points on the board.

Wauchope kept punishing Wallamba but the defending premiers showed their grit, holding the visiting team out on many occasions.

A penalty to the visiting side eventually got them on the board at 5-3.

Although it was obvious this was the first game of the season, with plenty of errors from both sides, it was again Wallamba that combined some quick-thinking ball speed between players going forward, sending hard-running Rhys Hessing over the line for Wallamba's second try.

New fullback Ben Petrisic kicked to take the half-time score to 12-3.

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The second half was as tough as it comes in bush rugby, and again it was Wauchope's big men who hit hard, allowing their backs to have plenty of opportunities with the ball only to be halted by the home team's defence.

Wallamba soon went over a third time, this time through the hands of Adrian Pryke, extending the lead to 17-3.

Wallamba had two players yellow-carded midway through the second half but Wauchope failed to monopolise until they scored a converted try 10 minutes before full time.

Wallamba threatened the defence of Wauchope but time wasn't on their side with the whistle blowing and a 17-10 first round win going to Wallamba.

Next week no games will be played due to Easter, with round two kicking off from April 27.