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 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 construct 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 protective set and reach third in the early season standings.
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After a famous win in their launching Super League component, York were revived down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they showed success over Hull KR was no fluke and it might prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a second succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his new club.
A knock-on gave Hull a prime attacking 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 completed well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather condition turned nasty in the second 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 gave Nofoaluma a run into the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased to 12 men 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 fans.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the opportunity to move more than a rating ahead and Richardson slotted an easy drop-goal from 25 yards out.
It proved the proper 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 final set to defend.
'They just played more constant footie' - Hull FC reaction
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early try however we answered that pretty well and then controlled the very first half, but I thought we ought to have scored more points.
"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a couple of normal sets. We should have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then a lot of errors however they simply played more constant footie."
'It was a genuine test of York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I believed we started very well but then welcomed Hull back into the game in that very first half and they capitalised on it really well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing the scoreboard and developing some composure and I believed we were impressive doing that.
"We thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that built the scoreboard pressure, they threw 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