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 Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another well-known 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 score assisted build 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 firm in their final defensive set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.


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After a popular 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 triumph over Hull KR was no fluke and it might show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds contemplated a 2nd succeeding defeat.


They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first rating for his new club.


A knock-on offered Hull a prime assaulting 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 provide the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather 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 face the left corner to bring York level.


Hull were then minimized to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's deal with from an offside position and the visitors took complete advantage 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 an easy drop-goal from 25 yards out.


It showed the proper choice 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 just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC reaction


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early shot but we responded to that pretty well and then controlled the first half, but I thought we need to have scored more points.


"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a number of common sets. We should have entered into the sheds 10 points up.


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


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


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:


"I thought we started really well but then welcomed Hull back into the video game in that very first half and they capitalised on it effectively.


"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I thought we were impressive doing that.


"We believed we 'd make it a two-score game that constructed 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