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 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 additional point.
It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull established a tense finale, but York stood company in their last set and reach third in the early season standings.
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After a well-known 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 proved victory over Hull KR was no fluke and it might prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a 2nd successive defeat.
They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his first rating for his new club.
A knock-on offered 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 ended up 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 offered Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's take on 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 possibility to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted a simple drop-goal from 25 yards out.
It proved the right choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline gave York one final set to protect.
'They just played more constant footie' - Hull FC reaction
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we addressed that quite well and then managed 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 ordinary sets. We ought to have entered the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too lots of errors however they simply played more constant footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I believed we started extremely well however then invited Hull back into the game in that very first half and they capitalised on it effectively.
"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 thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that constructed the scoreboard pressure, they tossed 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