The Hunter Pirates held off a fast finishing Melbourne Tigers to record a pulsating 95-88 victory in the National Basketball League clash at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

While easy beats last season, a new-look Pirates outfit showed they will be a force in just their second year in the league.

Import Brian Wethers was awesome for the home side.

The power-packed swing man scored a game high 25 points to go with 10 rebounds and four assists.

Pirates, who recorded just two wins from 33 games in their debut season, led at every break on Friday night.

They had stretched the margin out to 82-67 at three quarter time but had to withstand a thrilling comeback by the Tigers to record their first win of the season.

The ever reliable Andrew Gaze and import Dave Thomas inspired the late charge by the visitors.

Held to seven and six points respectively at halftime the dynamic duo found their range to finish with 21 each and nearly helped the Tigers steal a second straight match.

The Tigers recovered from a 10-point deficit to overhaul the Cairns Taipans 96-95 five days ago.

But this time they were denied thanks to scrambling defence and desperation by a determined Pirates outfit.

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