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, 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 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 proved decisive as Lewis Martin's late try for Hull set up a tense ending, however York stood firm in their final protective set and climb to third in the early season standings.
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After a well-known win in their launching Super League fixture, 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 could prove a season of surprises for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds pondered a 2nd succeeding defeat.
They scored the opening shot as Toa Mata'afa put Nofoaluma over for his very first score for his brand-new club.
A knock-on gave 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 foul in the 2nd half and it was the home side who stopped working to handle the conditions as Barron knocked on in his own 20, and Richardson gave Nofoaluma a face the left corner to bring York level.
Hull were then decreased to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took full benefit to put Jones-Bishop into the right corner in front of their fans.
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 yards 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 final set to defend.
'They simply played more consistent footie' - Hull FC reaction
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"They scored an early shot but we responded to that pretty well and after that controlled the very first half, but I believed we should have scored more points.
"The last five minutes of the half we were camped on their line however had a number of regular sets. We ought to have come into the sheds 10 points up.
"Second half there were then too many errors however they simply played more constant footie."
'It was a genuine test of character' - York reaction
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth informed BBC Radio York:
"I thought we started extremely well however 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 developing some composure and I believed we were exceptional doing that.
"We thought we 'd make it a two-score 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