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 second shock win in 3 weeks as they won at Hull FC.
Having shocked champs Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another well-known day for the Knights who are playing in their very first Super League season.
Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating assisted build a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It showed definitive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull established a tense ending, but York persevered in their final defensive set and reach third in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their 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 considered a second succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his brand-new club.
A knock-on gave Hull a prime assaulting 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 ended up well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather turned nasty in the 2nd half and it was the home side who stopped working to deal with the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson provided Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased 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 supporters.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the chance to move more than a rating ahead and Richardson slotted a basic drop-goal from 25 lawns out.
It showed the proper choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's objective from the left touchline provided York one last set to defend.
'They simply played more constant footie' - Hull FC reaction
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we answered that pretty well and after that managed the very first half, but I thought we need to have scored more points.
"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a number of common sets. We must have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too many mistakes however they just played more consistent footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York reaction
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:
"I believed we started effectively however then welcomed Hull back into the game because first half and they capitalised on it effectively.
"We then spoke at half-time about not going after the scoreboard and building some composure and I believed we were impressive doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they tossed everything 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