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 champions Hull KR in the opening round, York followed up with another well-known day for the Knights 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 construct a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.
It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull set up a tense ending, but York stood firm in their final defensive set and climb to third in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their debut Super League component, York were restored 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 pondered a second succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his first score 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 released 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 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 run into the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took full benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the best corner in front of their supporters.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the chance to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted a basic drop-goal from 25 lawns out.
It proved the proper decision as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's objective from the left touchline provided York one final set to protect.
'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we addressed that quite well and then controlled the first half, however I believed we need to have scored more points.
"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of regular sets. We should have entered the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then a lot of errors however they simply played more constant footie."
'It was a real test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I thought we started effectively but then welcomed Hull back into the game because first half and they capitalised on it extremely well.
"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing the scoreboard and constructing some composure and I believed we were impressive doing that.
"We thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that developed the scoreboard pressure, they tossed everything 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