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 popular 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 develop a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.


It showed definitive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull established a tense ending, but York stood firm in their last protective set and climb to 3rd in the early season standings.


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27 February


After a in their debut Super League component, York were revived 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 prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a second 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 provided 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 give the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned nasty in the second 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 reduced 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 right corner in front of their advocates.


With 14 minutes to play, York took the opportunity to move more than a score ahead and Richardson slotted an easy drop-goal from 25 yards out.


It proved the correct choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline provided York one final set to protect.


'They simply played more constant footie' - Hull FC reaction


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early try however we answered that quite well and then controlled the very first half, however I thought we ought to have scored more points.


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


"Second half there were then a lot of mistakes but they just played more constant footie."


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


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:


"I thought we started effectively however then welcomed Hull back into the game in that 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 outstanding doing that.


"We believed we 'd make it a two-score video game that constructed 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