Riga displayed enough flashes of their pre-season form to show they can improve on last year's placing but lacked a consistent killer touch to take Saturday's honours.
Warwick quickly took advantage of the new rule of every rally scoring a point by forging into an 11-4 lead. John Gilling, Pete Abraham and captain Tom Young all laid claim to points as Riga looked rampant.
However, with a new target of 25 points to be reached before a set is concluded, Riga then found out how easily fortunes can change in rally point.
Wessex eroded the Warwick lead before overturning it with interest. England internationals Tim Hollis and Morph Bowes starred in the Wessex revival as they closed out the set 25-17.
The second set found the visitors struggling from the off and despite a late rally they went down 25-16.
Set three saw changes in the Warwick line-up and an improvement.
Early sparring gave way to a five point Riga run which saw them establish a 12-8 advantage, thanks in no small way to big Richie Meade.
However, in a repeat of the first set, the visitors took their eye off the ball and allowed Wessex back in.
The set became the closest fought of the match as neither side seemed capable of taking control. Warwick saved one match point and then levelled the scores at 24 apiece before Wessex took the set 26-24 with two fine plays.
Riga captain Tom Young said: "The lads did well, perhaps not as well as they have been lately, but we still had. our chances to take two of the sets.
"We took the foot off the gas in the first set and paid the price. I'm disappointed but 1 still think we'll do things this season."
Riga visit Liverpool this Saturday seeking revenge. after the Merseysiders completed the double last season.
Riga women enjoyed an impressive 3-0
success over the Hawks in their first outing in National League Division Two at
St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre on Sunday.
"First blood to us. Great!" was captain Lynette Purkis' verdict.
