Nofoaluma Brace Helps York To Shock Win At Hull FC

145 Comments


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 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 debut, and Ben Jones-Bishop's rating assisted construct a 16-10 lead, before Richardson dropped the extra point.


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


Castleford beat Giants for first Super League win


Arthur wants Leeds gamers to enjoy 'insane' Vegas


27 February


After a popular win in their debut Super League fixture, York were revived 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 prove a season of for the Knights, while the Airlie Birds contemplated a second successive defeat.


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


A knock-on provided Hull a prime attacking 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 completed well to offer the hosts a 10-6 half-time lead.


The weather turned nasty 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 gave Nofoaluma a run into the left corner to bring York level.


Hull were then minimized to 12 men for Jed Cartwright's take on from an offside position and the visitors took full advantage to put Jones-Bishop into the best 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 a basic drop-goal from 25 backyards out.


It showed the appropriate choice as Martin touched down Cade Cust's grubber in the penultimate minute and Zak Hardaker's goal from the left touchline gave York one last set to protect.


'They just played more consistent footie' - Hull FC reaction


Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:


"They scored an early shot but we responded to that pretty well and then managed the first half, however I believed we need to have scored more points.


"The last 5 minutes of the half we were camped on their line but had a number of regular sets. We ought to have come into the sheds 10 points up.


"Second half there were then a lot of errors however they simply played more constant footie."


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


York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:


"I thought we started extremely well however then welcomed Hull back into the video game in that first half and they capitalised on it effectively.


"We then spoke at half-time about not chasing the scoreboard and constructing some composure and I thought we were exceptional doing that.


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