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 champs Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another well-known day for the Knights who are playing in their first Super League season.
Two attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating helped build a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It showed definitive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense ending, however York persevered in their last defensive set and reach 3rd in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their debut Super League component, York were restored down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they proved success over Hull KR was no fluke and it could prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a 2nd successive defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put over for his first score for his 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 second half and it was the home side who failed to handle the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson gave Nofoaluma an encounter the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased to 12 males for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took full 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 simple drop-goal from 25 backyards out.
It showed the right decision 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 safeguard.
'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we answered that pretty well and after that controlled the first half, but I thought we ought to have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a couple of common sets. We should have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too lots of errors but they just 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 began really well however then welcomed Hull back into the video 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 outstanding doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score game that built 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