Nofoaluma Brace Helps York To Shock Win At Hull FC
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Betfred Super League, MKM Stadium
Hull FC (10) 16
Tries: Litten, Barron, Martin Goals: Hardaker 2
York Knights (6) 17
Tries: Nofoaluma 2, Jones-Bishop Goals: Richardson 2 Drop-goal: Richardson
Danny Richardson's drop-goal earned York Knights a 2nd shock win in three weeks as they won at Hull FC.
Having shocked champions Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another famous day for the Knights who are playing in their very first Super League season.
Two attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score assisted develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It proved decisive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense ending, but York stood company in their final defensive set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their launching Super League fixture, York were restored down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they showed victory over Hull KR was no fluke and it could show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a 2nd succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his new club.
A knock-on provided Hull a prime attacking platform and from the scrum, Davy Litten took pass to power over and level.
Connor Bailey then freed Harvey Barron and the Hull winger ended up well to provide the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather turned foul in the second half and it was the home side who failed to deal with the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson gave Nofoaluma a run into the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased to 12 males for Jed Cartwright's deal with from an offside position and the visitors took complete benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the ideal corner in front of their advocates.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the opportunity to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted a basic drop-goal from 25 backyards out.
It proved the appropriate decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's objective from the left touchline provided York one final set to protect.
'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we addressed that quite well and after that controlled the very first half, however I thought we must have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a number of regular sets. We should have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too lots of mistakes however they just played more constant footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York reaction
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I thought we started really well but then welcomed Hull back into the game in that first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I thought we were outstanding doing that.
"We thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they threw everything at us and it was a genuine test of character."
Hull FC: Litten, Barron, Hardaker, Romano, Martin, Arthur, Sezer, Bourouh, Hill, Bailey, Cartwright, Aydin
Replacements: Asiata, Cust, Fash, Lisone
Sin-bin: Cartwright
York Knights: Mata'afa, Jones-Bishop, Wood, Williams, Nofoaluma, Richardson, Harris, Martin, McShane, Vaughan, Griffin, Field, Thompson
Replacements: Balmforth, Va'a, Sangare, Vuniyayawa
Referee: James Vella