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 3 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 first Super League season.


Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his launching, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating helped build a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the additional point.


It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late shot for Hull set up a tense finale, however York stood company in their final protective set and reach 3rd in the early season standings.


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After a famous 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 showed victory over was no fluke and it could prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds considered a 2nd succeeding defeat.


They scored the opening try as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his new club.


A knock-on offered 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 finished well to provide the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned nasty 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 provided Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.


Hull were then decreased to 12 guys for Jed Cartwright's deal with 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 opportunity to move more than a rating ahead and Richardson slotted an easy drop-goal from 25 lawns out.


It showed 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 defend.


'They simply 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 must have scored more points.


"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a couple of common sets. We should have entered into the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then too many mistakes however they simply played more consistent footie."


'It was a genuine test of character' - York response


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:


"I thought we began effectively 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 going after the scoreboard and developing some composure and I thought we were impressive doing that.


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