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 stunned champions Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another famous day for the Knights who are playing in their first Super League season.


Two attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating helped develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.


It showed definitive as late shot for Hull set up a tense ending, but York stood firm in their final defensive set and reach third in the early season standings.


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After a famous win in their debut Super League component, York were revived down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.


But here they proved triumph over Hull KR was no fluke and it could prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds contemplated a 2nd successive defeat.


They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his first score for his brand-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 released Harvey Barron and the Hull winger ended up well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather condition turned nasty 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 provided Nofoaluma a run into the left corner to bring York level.


Hull were then reduced to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's deal with from an offside position and the visitors took full benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the best corner in front of their fans.


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 showed the appropriate decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's objective from the left touchline offered York one final 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 however we answered that quite well and then managed the very first half, but I thought we need to have scored more points.


"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of common sets. We need to have entered the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then a lot of mistakes however they simply played more consistent footie."


'It was a genuine test of character' - York response


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:


"I thought we began extremely well but then invited Hull back into the video game because first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.


"We then spoke at half-time about not going after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I believed we were outstanding doing that.


"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they threw 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