A couple of weeks after they finished another game with one less player, Pirates were at it again on Saturday in an enthralling 62-41 win over Kempsey Cannonballs.

In a match that saw 15 tries scored and one that resembled touch football at times, Pirates finished full of running despite the one man disadvantage.

Centre Tate Rissel was sent from the field early in the second half when the scores were locked at 38-all.

The Cannonballs kicked a penalty goal to take the lead 41-38.

From that point on, Pirates sparked into action and didn’t concede a try after they had leaked six with a full compliment of players.

“We defend a lot better with 14 and we attack a lot better with 14,” Hurlston said.

The coach, however, stopped short of suggesting his side should start the game with 14 players.

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“It was a freak of nature of a game and one you can get from time to time; hopefully that’s ours out of the way for the year.”

Kaes Besseling was the star, scoring four tries and having a hand in just about every other one of his team’s five-pointers.

“Kaes is one of the better players at this level,” Hurlston said.

“Without a shadow of a doubt he could go on and play in the Shute Shield he’s that good.

“He has seemed to have matured a lot for us this year and he can play anywhere and do a job for you.”

Pirates were also awarded a penalty try, while Tavita Talamaivao scored two tries and Peter Gowler, Tim Grooby and Ash Elliott also crossed.

“It was a game that was a bit like you score, we score,” Hurlston said.

“They were all good tries and some really good running rugby so it was good to watch both sides have a go.

“I had a chat to the referee after the game and he said if we could tackle we’d have won 62-0, but I don’t think that’s giving enough credit to Kempsey.”

While disappointed to concede 40 points, Hurlston said the Cannonballs still offered plenty of questions for their defence.

“If you were a Kempsey player and went home and said you scored 40 points, you’d be getting congratulated on the win,” he said.

“We do have a lot to work on in defence, but Kempsey are a really good attacking side.

“They’ve pretty much scored 30 points in every game they’ve played this year.”

Cannonballs stand-in coach Matt Scott said the side still remained upbeat.

“Everyone is still very positive, it hasn’t been the perfect start to the season but we have been in every contest,” Scott said.