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 2nd 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 popular 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 score assisted build a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the additional point.


It proved decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull established a tense ending, but 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 fixture, York were back 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 show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a 2nd succeeding 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 freed Harvey Barron and the Hull winger completed 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 lowered to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's tackle from an offside position and the visitors took complete benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the best corner in front of their fans.


With 14 minutes to play, York took the opportunity to move more than a rating ahead and Richardson slotted a simple drop-goal from 25 backyards 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 final set to protect.


'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 answered that quite well and then managed the very first half, but I believed we ought to have scored more points.


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


"Second half there were then too lots of mistakes but they simply played more consistent footie."


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


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:


"I believed we started extremely well however then welcomed Hull back into the video game because very first half and they capitalised on it really well.


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


"We thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that constructed the scoreboard pressure, they tossed whatever at us and it was a real 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