No 8 Daniel Crichton was difficult to stop and played a key role in Pirates' 27-11 win over Alhambra-Union at Hancock Park.
He had a strong all-round game with his accurate tackling and made three takes off Alhambra-Union throws at the back of the lineout.
Pirates pushed Alhambra-Union back in the first scrum and this told the story of the game.
The powerful front row of Halani Aulika, Jake Maiono and Craig Miller did their job and Daniel Johnson added to the mix in the second spell.
The return of Marshall Suckling added spark and speed to the Pirates backline that had been pedestrian earlier in the season.
He scored two first-half tries and had the ball spill from his hands when he was over the line on two other occasions.
Pirates led 14-6 at the break and extended that to 17-6 early in the second half with a Glenn Dickson penalty goal. He landed five goals from five attempts.
The strong-tackling Alhambra-Union forwards shut Pirates down after this and none did this better than prop Liam Coltman who also gained territory with driving runs.
Pirates only put its final stamp on the game in the last 10 minutes when former All Black Paul Miller came on.
He made the initial drive that led to his side's third try. Dickson split open the defence on the short side and fullback Hemi Davis ran in the try.
The other Pirates players to stamp their mark on the game were flanker Josh Cark and lock Warren Kearney.
- Pirates 27 (Marshall Suckling 2, Hemi Davis tries; Glenn Dickson 3 con, 2 pen), Alhambra-Union 11 (Jarid Bradley try; Peter Breen 2 pen). Halftime: 14-6. Referee: Jeff Grubb.