Pirates scored a try on the siren in the first half and kept the momentum going after the break in a 54-18 win over Scone at Ken Chillingworth Oval.
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After narrow, back-to-back losses to second-placed Moree and first-placed Walcha, Pirates have righted the ship with consecutive wins over Gunnedah and now Scone.
The fourth-placed outfit are attempting to win a fourth straight premiership following the retirement loss of key personnel after last season's title triumph.
Sixth-placed Scone were competitive in the first half - a fact exemplified by fullback Harry Morrow's long-range solo try the 18th minute, which, after halfback Josh Pickering's conversion, gave the visitors a 10-7 lead.
A penalty goal to Pickering 10 minutes later made it 13-7.
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Pirates established their winning momentum when No.15 Sam Collett crossed for the first of his two tries - a close-range effort in the 34th minute.
In the 40th minute Pirates received a penalty that led to Collett strolling over out wide for his second try to make it 21-13 at the break following Andrew Mepham's conversion.
The second half featured Pirates replacement centre Jake Douglas posting a try hat-trick.
Pirates centre Mitch Dening, who scored the first try of the match, said the home side lacked communication in the early stages of the contest but corrected that deficiency and that proved "key" to the win.
"We knew what we had to do and we got around them," he said.
