I got to 50 never having pvp-ed before and quickly learned the difference gear makes. Being smacked for 5k twice in a row when you have 12k hp will let you know just how far you need to go. What it said to me is that you should not be concerned with trying to win when you are that outgeared. This game rewards you with medals so that even in a loss you can still clear 60-70 commendations in most matches. I went 1/20 wins at first, then slowly 3/20, 10/20 and now i am more or less 14/20 per day. PVP is a grind, do not let anyone fool you into thinking any differently. You may be a great pvper and have great instincts but when you have 0 expertise and 2 guys jump you, it won't matter. This game is not a solo game, its all about ganging on one guy repeatedly and thus gear is extremely important. Now i am sitting in full centurion, some champion and i slaughter people in greens, and can be competitive vs champion people(bm not yet but hey, its a grind)
Do not go to win, go to grind, this game is not skill, it is 100% gear, eventually you will be strong enough to make a difference. Go for medals, dont care about losses, and eventually once you have expertise, you will be strong enough to occasionally decide the outcome of a game.