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 made York Knights a 2nd shock win in three weeks as they won at Hull FC.
Having shocked champs Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another popular day for the Knights who are playing in their first Super League season.
Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score helped develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense ending, however York persevered in their final protective set and climb to third in the early season standings.
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After a famous win in their launching Super League fixture, York were brought back down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they proved victory over Hull KR was no fluke and it could prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a 2nd succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his first rating for his brand-new club.
A knock-on provided Hull a prime assaulting platform and from the scrum, Davy Litten took Jake Arthur's pass to power over and level.
Connor Bailey then freed Harvey Barron and the Hull winger finished well to provide 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 on in his own 20, and Richardson offered Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then minimized to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's take on 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 possibility to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted a basic drop-goal from 25 lawns out.
It showed the correct choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's objective from the left touchline gave York one last set to safeguard.
'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we answered that quite well and after that managed the very first half, however I thought we should have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a number of regular sets. We ought to have entered 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 told BBC Radio York:
"I thought we began effectively but then invited Hull back into the game because first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not going after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I believed we were exceptional doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they threw whatever 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