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 who are playing in their very first Super League season.
Two attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating helped build a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It proved decisive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense ending, however York persevered in their last protective set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their launching Super League component, York were restored 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 could show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a second succeeding 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 provide 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 deal with the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson offered Nofoaluma a run into the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then lowered to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took full benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the right 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 basic drop-goal from 25 yards 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 defend.
'They simply played more constant footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early try but we addressed that quite well and after that controlled the first half, but I believed we ought to have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of ordinary sets. We ought to have entered into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too numerous mistakes but they simply played more consistent footie."
'It was a real test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I thought we began extremely well however then welcomed Hull back into the game because very first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I thought 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 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