In what proved a stellar return for rugby league in the Illawarra, the Butchers edged out their old rivals 22-16 via a late try to fullback Leigh Higgins to go one up in the new NSW Rugby League Presidents Cup competition.

It was a heartbreaker for the Devils, who fought back from 4-0 down to make most of the running and lead 16-4 before being reeled in down the stretch.

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Higgins' match-winner with four minutes remaining was the second of two tries in his return to the club, in a contest that gave no hint of the chaotic build-up both clubs endured in the lead-up.

How far it progresses amid a second spread of COVID-19 remains to be seen, but Butchers coach Jarrod Costello said he was happy to see his side land the first blow.

"We weren't great, we made a heap of errors, our discipline was pretty poor but I'm really proud of the way we stuck to it and the way Connor [Muhlheisen] and Leigh found that one at the end," Costello said.

"We've been waiting for a crack at Wests after the [prelim] final last year for a long time. When we finally got it we really wanted to make the most of it.

"Wests completed 98 per cent in the first half, which was outstanding, and I think both sides did really well considering we haven't had a chance to really prepare.

"We felt around that 25-minute mark they were really about to go away and then we gave away some field position they scored a try off a kick and then all of a sudden we were down at halftime.

"All things considered it was a really good Butchers style win to come back and grind it through the middle and score that one at the end."

Costello said his side will need to build on the performance as clashes with stacked Sydney rivals loom in the coming weeks.

"We've got a bye and then North Sydney up there so hopefully we get to see the season out and we'll just take it one game at a time," he said.

The Butchers had all the early momentum and led 4-0 when Hayden Crosland crossed for the opening try midway through the first half.

The Devils got back into the match off the boot of halfback Justin Rodrigues, who laid on tries for Mitch Phillips and Lachlan Hurst with well-placed kicks. Mitch Porter was largely on song off the tee, converting both tries and adding a penalty goal for a handy cushion.

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The Butchers rallied through tries to Higgins and Jack Payne before Muhlheisen caught the Devils big men napping to put Higgins across, with Daniel Payne converting for what proved the match-winning lead.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Devils coach Pete McLeod, who couldn't fault his side's effort.

"It's a credit to all the players who went on the field today," McLeod said.

"Both clubs did a lot to get teams on the field this year, it was the first game of the season, no preseason, only eight interchanges and both teams just bit down on the mouthguard and had a go.

"There was so much pride in the jumper out there, they were really ripping in for each other and I'm really disappointed for our guys.

"We had a lot of young guys out there, we had three debutants, trying their guts out. They're pretty gutted now but we'll pick them up next week and go again."

With the rest of the Illawarra League placed on hold, Helensburgh were the only other side in action, suffering a 44-16 loss to Cronulla-Caringbah in round one of the Sydney Shield competition.