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 popular day for the Knights who are playing in their very first Super League season.
Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating helped develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull set up a tense ending, but York stood company in their last protective set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.
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After a well-known win in their launching Super League component, York were restored down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they showed triumph over Hull KR was no fluke and it might show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a second successive defeat.
They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his brand-new club.
A knock-on provided Hull a prime attacking platform and from the scrum, Davy Litten took Jake Arthur's pass to power over and level.
Connor Bailey then released Harvey Barron and the Hull winger completed well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather turned foul in the 2nd 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 face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then lowered to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's tackle from an offside position and the visitors took complete advantage 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 yards out.
It proved the appropriate decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline offered York one last set to safeguard.
'They simply played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we addressed that quite well and after that controlled the first half, however I believed we ought to have scored more points.
"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of regular sets. We ought to have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then a lot of errors however they simply played more consistent footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I believed we started effectively but then invited Hull back into the video game in that very first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing after the scoreboard and building some composure and I thought we were impressive doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they tossed whatever at us and it was a real 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