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 made York Knights a second 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 famous day for the Knights who are playing in their very first Super League season.
Two attempts from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score assisted develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the additional point.
It proved decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull set up a tense finale, but York stood firm in their last defensive set and reach third in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their debut Super League component, York were revived down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they proved success 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 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 second half and it was the home side who failed to handle the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and offered Nofoaluma an encounter the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then reduced to 12 males for Jed Cartwright's deal with from an offside position and the visitors took full advantage to put Jones-Bishop into the right corner in front of their supporters.
With 14 minutes to play, York took the possibility to move more than a rating ahead and Richardson slotted a basic drop-goal from 25 yards out.
It proved the right 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 final set to safeguard.
'They simply played more consistent footie' - Hull FC response
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early try but we addressed that quite well and then managed the first half, but I believed we must 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 come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too many mistakes but 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 extremely well but 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 the scoreboard and building some composure and I believed we were exceptional doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video 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