Utiku's No8 Adam Roe, prop Ollie Garland and centre Willie Hirini took on the line time and again.
While lacking the strike power of their hosts, the visitors played above themselves and after excellent tries to second-five Jason Coffee and wing Karl Farrell they were eyeing a famous upset from a 22-10 lead with 14 minutes to play.
It could have been even more if first-five Te Rangi Tapu McLeod had nailed his first few penalty attempts during the opening quarter, while his final sideline conversion unluckily bounced off the cross bar.
Finally galvanised, Pirates turned to their big men on the bench to save the day as Nuku Nukucisi drove them forward to finally set up camp inside Utiku's 22m in the dying minutes.
From there, the pack made no mistake as Gordon Karaitiana and Lee Ashford smashed their way over in handy position to the posts for stand-in first-five Josh Marwick. Pirates coach Phillip Morris knew it had been another escape act on natural ability alone and agreed 2013 has shown there are no easy games.
"It's really good, interesting, keeps you on your toes.
"We're having trouble putting teams away early on."
Disappointed Utiku coach Gavin Thompson could only look to the future.
If his squad can stick together they will compete like this all the time, he said.
"We were the better team, without a doubt.
"The boys are getting better every week and today was a huge step up."
Pirates started by offering McLeod free target practice inside their half from a string of penalties, with their only chance being a breakout by wing I'a Isopo, who Utiku halfback Dave Gordon lowered in a good tackle.
McLeod found his range after half an hour with a penalty, before Pirates proved that even off-balance they are dangerous captain Lasa Ulukuta finishing off a deep raid after a break from winger CJ Stowers was started by quick hands through the forwards.
Down 7-3 against the run of play, Utiku worked back into position against a 14-man Pirates for McLeod to bang over two more kicks.
Marwick replied right on halftime to give Pirates a flattering one-point advantage.
Momentum swung for the next 15 minutes before Utiku stunned Pirates with a dramatic try after Hirini snaffled an intercept and McLeod punched a chip kick through with the bounce falling perfectly for Coffee to scoot away.
Further Pirates infringement gave McLeod another penalty on the hour mark and it seemed the visitors had wrapped it up when Farrell slipped through two tacklers to score.
Injured in the process, Farrell's departure stretched the Utiku bench and this was one area where Pirates still held sway.
Nukucisi and hooker Junior Tume drove their side forward against a tiring Utiku pack.
Karaitiana showed great strength to score next to the posts and give his team a chance with six minutes left.
They needed only three, as Ashford powered his way through midfield to bring Pirates straight back to Utiku's line and then, after more good buildup from Nukucisi, he found a half gap and forced the ball down in a despairing Utiku tackle.
Integrity Motors Pirates 24 (Lasa Ulukuta, Gordon Karaitiana, Lee Ashford tries, Josh Marwick pen, 3 con) bt Utiku OB 22 (Karl Farrell, Jason Coffee tries, Te Rangi Tapu McLeod 4 pen). HT: 10-9.
