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 three weeks as they won at Hull FC.


Having stunned 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 attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score helped develop a 16-10 lead, before the extra point.


It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull set up a tense finale, but York persevered in their final protective set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.


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After a famous 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 prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a second 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 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 ended up well to provide the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned foul in the 2nd half and it was the home side who failed to deal with 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 take on 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 an easy drop-goal from 25 backyards out.


It showed the right choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline provided York one final set to defend.


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


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early shot however we answered that pretty well and after that 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 couple of regular sets. We need to have entered into the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then a lot 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 thought we began effectively however then welcomed Hull back into the 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 exceptional doing that.


"We believed we 'd make it a two-score game that built the scoreboard pressure, they tossed everything 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