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 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 first Super League season.
Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating assisted develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull set up a tense ending, but York stood firm in their final protective set and climb to 3rd 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 could show 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 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 give the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather condition turned foul in the second half and it was the home side who failed to deal with the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson provided Nofoaluma an encounter the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then reduced to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's tackle from an offside position and the visitors took full benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the ideal corner in front of their fans.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the chance to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted an easy drop-goal from 25 yards out.
It proved the proper decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline offered York one last set to safeguard.
'They simply played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we addressed that quite well and then controlled the very first half, however I thought we must have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of . We ought to have entered into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then a lot of errors but they simply played more consistent footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I thought we started extremely well 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 chasing after the scoreboard and constructing some composure and I thought we were outstanding doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that built the scoreboard pressure, they tossed 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