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 3 weeks as they won at Hull FC.


Having stunned champions 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 construct a 16-10 lead, before the extra point.


It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense finale, however York persevered in their last protective set and reach 3rd 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 victory 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 rating for his new club.


A knock-on gave 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 completed well to provide the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned nasty in the 2nd 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 lowered to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took complete advantage to put Jones-Bishop into the best corner in front of their advocates.


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 lawns out.


It proved the correct decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline gave York one last 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 pretty well and after that controlled the first half, however I thought we must have scored more points.


"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a couple of ordinary sets. We should have entered the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then too numerous mistakes however they just played more consistent footie."


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


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:


"I thought we started extremely well but then invited Hull back into the game in that 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 believed we were impressive doing that.


"We thought we 'd make it a two-score game that constructed the scoreboard pressure, they threw 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