Across town at Spriggens Park, another surprise package of Round 1, Marton, also stayed in touch with the top four after running in three second-half tries for a 27-5 win over bottom-placed Marist.
The men in green gave their suffering supporters a little cause for optimism when a Grayson Tihema try earned them a narrow halftime lead.
However, three converted five pointers from Perenise Enoka, Tyler Rogers-Holden and Salu Peneli secured the result.
Taking the bye this weekend, Pirates wrapped up a middling first round by winning their third game on the trot, beating Ratana at home 18-5.
A Josh Navitio penalty was all that separated the teams at the break, but Pirates kicked on with their second try to run out 13-point victors.
In senior rugby, Hunterville bounced back from their loss to Celtic to secure top spot on the ladder with a 19-3 win over St John's Tech.
However Taihape's recent unhappy run continued when they were beaten 29-20 by Counties, allowing Celtic to take over second place after they dominated the second half of their Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield derby with Marist, winning 33-5.
Ruapehu also entered the top four in emphatic style, as again the young Border team were taken to task away from home, hammered 81-7 at Rochfort Park.
In the game they dedicated to their lost team mate, Utiku were not quite able to overcome Kaierau going down 34-24.
