Snappers briefly took the lead early in the second half, overturning a 17-10 halftime deficit to lead 22-17 before the Pirates took control of the match in the closing stages.

Winger Jarrod Stewart raced 50 metres to score midway through the second stanza to restore Pirates' lead which they never relinquished.

Pirates coach Nigel Harding admitted his team still needed to learn how to adapt on the run when matches weren't going to plan.

"We're starting to develop a little bit more of a constructive play, but if things are not working they've got to be able to adapt to it on the field," he said.

"We hardly won any lineouts; we had a lot of problems.

"We can practice and practice, but you've still gotta solve it on the field and take responsibility for what's going on."

Harding was most impressed with number eight Sam Gleeson who led the way after a self-confessed flat couple of weeks.

"Sam stepped up; he knew he had to because he had a couple of average games," the coach said.

"He's a talented player, but had been taking it a bit easy."

The win was another important step on the path to securing an all-important top two finish which would provide Pirates with at least one home semi-final.

"We've got to beat Marlins next week and if we do, we'll get second spot and that's where we have to be," Harding said.

"Vikings are way ahead and there's a long line of daylight, then there's three of us (Pirates, Marlins, Snappers) and then Kempsey.

"We need to be able to secure second spot so we at least get one semi-final."

Pirates are still developing although Harding said they were starting to have players returning from injuries with five matches remaining before the finals.

"We're slowly getting there; there's five more games left and it was pretty important we won on Saturday," he said.

"I thought we could have quite easily run away with it, but we didn't."

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