Pirates recovered their kick-off from a perfectly weighted kick that landed right on the YMP 10-metre line, and answered with a penalty from out in front to Jacob Leaf.
YMP then scored the try of the match. They spread the ball to the right-hand side of the pitch and into space. As the cover defence came across to pull down winger Enty Masun, he weighted his kick perfectly so that it pulled up right on the Pirates line.
YMP fullback Andrew Tauatevalu then showed his speed. The defence had a 20m headstart but looked to be running in slow motion as Tauatevalu breezed up and won the race to the ball.
Pirates stayed with YMP and scored a try of their own to fullback Manase Tupe.
An overthrown lineout in the opposition 22 gave Pirates the ball and sustained left-to-right pressure wore down the defence before Pirates scored with numbers on the blindside.
Tupe still had work to do and broke several YMP tackle attempts on his way over the line.
YMP came right back with another try of their own to first five-eighth Peia Fililava. A Pirates' knock-on was picked up by YMP, who made fast gains but were stopped just short of the line. Pirates couldn't regroup in time, though.
YMP recycled the ball and got it out among the backs, where it passed through the hands for an easy try.
Pirates hit back with an intercept try to centre Lyric Baty from the second phase after kick-off.
He ran in the try between the posts.
YMP prop Nehe Papuni was then yellow-carded for a no-arms tackle. It was below the waist but the big impact ended flanker Petelo Tuitakau's game with a hip injury.
It was the first of a series of injuries for the understaffed Pirates bench to deal with. By the end of the game, the bench looked more like an infirmary.
YMP then increased the tempo of the game.
No.8 Jess Kapene scored a try from first receiver after strong driving play from the team before the half was rounded out by a second try for Kapene.
It was an excellent team try that started with a run from inside their own 22 and gave them the base to put pressure through the forwards, drawing in the outside backs. Space was opened up outside for Kapene to score an easy try, that he ran between the posts.
Pirates started the second half with a try to hooker Rob Broughton from a rolling maul deep in the YMP 22. Broughton took the ball at the back of the maul, and just as their push started to waiver, he splintered blindside with support, giving him the push he needed to crash over the line for a try.
Any hopes Pirates had that the second half would be theirs were dashed as YMP continued their pressure, only being reined in slightly by a second yellow card, this time to flanker Seth Lundon for offside.
YMP put 38 unanswered points on Pirates.
The structure of the game had started to break down as the unrelenting pace of YMP proved too much.
They ran in some well-deserved tries that showcased their ability to work as a team and they kept their composure late into the second half.
Pirates started to let tackles slip, and YMP punished every mistake they made.
Pirates coach Willie Waitoa said they went into the second half knowing they were in the game but the pace of play and their lack of depth on the bench told.
Waitoa played a full 80 minutes.
Despite his desire to step into coaching fulltime they need him to play.
Brian Leach said he was proud of his boys and their performance but there was still room for improvement with their discipline.
“We conceded 15 penalties in the first half; that's not good for us.”
He was proud of his team's line speed in defence, which broke up Pirates' play early and stopped them from using their outside backs.
“We've been ticking the boxes for the goals we set all season.”
