The forward pack handed Pirates a get-out-of-jail-free card in its nail-biting victory over Kaikorai at Bishopscourt.
Kaikorai was all over Pirates in the first half, running in three converted tries through some superb back play.
Tony Ensor was the outstanding player of the half, while the inside back combination of Jye Cormack and Matt Te-Tana flourished for Kaikorai.
Outside back Hemi Davis gave Pirates some hope of a recovery when he scored each side of the break.
The Pirates forward pack then gained some ascendancy, with Motu Hutch, Hisa Sasagi and Paul Miller bringing the side back into the match with some powerful drives, and rolling mauls.
Miller used his size and power to bust up the middle and commit the Kaikorai defence, leading to gains in territory and chances for loose forwards Josh Clark and Warren Kearney to shine.
Hooker Shaun McCarroll proved a handful in broken play and around the fringes, and he scored two tries.
With the scores locked at 32-32 in the dying stages a draw might have been a fair result, but ill-discipline cost Kaikorai and Ben Miller made no mistake with a penalty.
- Pirates 35 (Hemi Davis 2, Shaun McCarroll 2, Motu Hutch tries; Tim McCormack pen, Ben Miller 2 con, pen), Kaikorai 32 (Tony Ensor 2, Logan Moore, Jye Cormack tries; Cam Rutherford 3 con, pen, Matt Te Tana drop goal). Halftime: Kaikorai 24-10. Referee: Todd Pullar.