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 stunned champions 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 construct a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the additional point.


It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull set up a tense finale, but York persevered in their final defensive set and climb to third in the early season standings.


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After a well-known win in their launching Super League fixture, York were restored 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 might show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a 2nd successive defeat.


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


A knock-on offered 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 finished well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned foul in the 2nd half and it was the home side who stopped working to handle the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson offered 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 complete benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the ideal corner in front of their supporters.


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


'They simply played more consistent footie' - Hull FC reaction


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early shot however we addressed that quite well and after that managed the first half, however 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 number of ordinary sets. We must have entered into the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then too many mistakes however 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 believed we began extremely well but then welcomed Hull back into the video game in that first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.


"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 developed 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