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 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 tries from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score assisted construct a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the point.
It proved definitive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull established a tense finale, but York stood firm in their last defensive set and climb to third in the early season standings.
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After a popular win in their launching Super League fixture, York were restored down to earth with a 46-14 drubbing by Leeds last weekend.
But here they showed success over Hull KR was no fluke and it could show a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a 2nd successive defeat.
They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his first rating for his new club.
A knock-on gave 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 completed well to give the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.
The weather turned foul in the second half and it was the home side who stopped working to handle the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson offered Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then lowered to 12 males for Jed Cartwright's tackle from an offside position and the visitors took full advantage 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 backyards 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 offered York one last set to protect.
'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC reaction
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early try but we responded to that pretty well and then controlled the first half, but I thought we must have scored more points.
"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a couple of normal sets. We must have entered into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then a lot of errors however they just played more consistent footie."
'It was a real test of character' - York response
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:
"I believed we started very well however then invited Hull back into the video game because 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 impressive doing that.
"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that built the scoreboard pressure, they tossed whatever 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