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 shocked champs Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another famous day for the Knights who are playing in their very first season.


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


It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull established a tense finale, but York persevered in their last protective set and reach third in the early season standings.


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27 February


After a well-known win in their launching Super League fixture, York were brought back down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.


But here they showed triumph over Hull KR was no fluke and it might show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds contemplated a second successive 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 provided 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 ended up well to give the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather condition 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 a run into the left corner to bring York level.


Hull were then minimized 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 advocates.


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


It showed the correct 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 last set to defend.


'They just played more constant footie' - Hull FC reaction


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early shot but we responded to that pretty well and after that managed the first half, but I believed 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 ordinary sets. We must have entered the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then too lots of mistakes but 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 began extremely well however then invited Hull back into the game because first half and they capitalised on it effectively.


"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing 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 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