Porter had to end their clash against Coffs Harbour Snappers with eight minutes remaining with the visitors leading 19-12.

Pirates had held a 12-7 lead in the shadows of halftime after tries to Maddi Major and Bronte Wisely.

But the hosts simply ran out of fit players when Wisely, Emily Fielder and Olivia Tarlinton all succumbed to injuries by five minutes into the second half.

"I called the game because of injuries; players were going down and there was dirty play. I play rugby to play rugby not to play boxing," Porter said.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make because of the fact the scoreline was so close.

"I don't like to dishearten the girls because they want to play rugby and should get as much game time as possible, so cutting that hurts a bit but it needed to be done."

When Pirates were reduced to eight players the Snappers already had to drop one of their players off to even up the numbers.

"They were starting to get a bit angry," Porter said.

Pirates have been hit hard with injuries this season and while they will be the walking wounded for the trip to Dorrigo next Saturday, the captain said they would still field a team.

"Our girls will come together, they will just put the strapping tape on and say she'll be right," she said.

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