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 popular day for the Knights who are playing in their first Super League season.


Two tries from David Nofoaluma, on his debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's score assisted construct a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.


It showed decisive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull set up a tense ending, however York persevered in their final defensive set and climb to third in the early season standings.


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27 February


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 proved triumph over Hull KR was no fluke and it might prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds contemplated a 2nd succeeding defeat.


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


A knock-on offered 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 give the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned foul in the 2nd half and it was the home side who failed to handle 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 minimized to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's tackle from an offside position and the visitors took complete 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 rating ahead and Richardson slotted an easy drop-goal from 25 yards out.


It showed the right 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 last set to .


'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 responded to that quite well and after that controlled the first half, but I thought we need to have scored more points.


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


"Second half there were then too lots of errors however they just played more consistent footie."


'It was a real test of character' - York reaction


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:


"I believed we began effectively but then welcomed Hull back into the video game in that 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 outstanding doing that.


"We thought we 'd make it a two-score video game that constructed the scoreboard pressure, they threw 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