York 20-16 Hull FC: Knights beat the heat to record third straight victory

York Knights sweated to a third win in a row after they completed the double over Hull FC at a sun-soaked LNER Community Stadium, winning 20-16. Following on from wins over Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants, York added a third consecutive victory as Mark Applegarth’s side continue to enjoy a purple patch. It marks a sixth win of the campaign for the Knights, their third at home, which has Applegarth’s team rise up to ninth position on 12 points, albeit four of the teams below them are yet to play this week. York led early on as David Nofoaluma produced a brilliant finish in the left corner, before they doubled that advantage with Jon Bennison intelligently letting Cody Hunter’s swirling kick bounce before pouncing. Hull would respond before the half-time break, with Aiden Sezer beating two Knights before driving through to score. Tom Briscoe then nudged FC in front - after Zak Hardaker added four points from six in conversion attempts – and Joe Batchelor extended that lead with a well-taken effort. Trailing at the break, York came out swinging and celebrated a spectacular try from Denive Balmforth, who weaved away from numerous challenges before scoring against his parent club. Jon Bennison levelled proceedings up as he took advantage of a penalty goal, before York re-took the lead with another Hunter kick this time being grounded by Nikau Williams. Despite some late pressures and the scare of a no try call from Hull, the Knights held on to record a third straight win that propels them up the Betfred Super League table. Applegarth had been ecstatic with his team’s Magic Weekend win over Huddersfield, and that showed in his selection to take on FC at an LNER Community Stadium that was basked in sun. The same starting 13 took to the field as they had done at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend, whilst a change on the bench saw Kieran Hudson drop out for Matty Foster, who had been the 18th man last time out. Will Dagger was also back involved as he was named as the 18th man, meaning there was still no room in the squad for captain Liam Harris. Ben Jones-Bishop, Jesse Dee and Harvey Reynolds were also excluded as they continue to recover from injury. For Hull, they were reeling after falling to a derby day defeat against KR on Magic Weekend. Interim Head Coach Andy Last is steering the ship until Steve McNamara arrives next season, and made two changes to his team. Harvey Barron came back in after serving a HIA period, and was joined by Ethan O’Neill in the starting 13. Lennon Clark dropped to the bench whilst Davy Litten was absent, for an FC side that have now four defeats on the spin. Applegarth had warned his players of a hungry attitude from Hull to start off with, and they were tested early on as O’Neill opted to run on the last, but was closed down by some good defending. Barron had to knock the first of numerous dangerous Hunter kicks dead, before the breakthrough came after nine minutes. Having shifted the ball left, Nofoaluma still had work to do score in the corner – but despite the attempt of a challenge, he managed to stay in play before expertly grounding the ball. Hunter couldn’t convert from the wide angle, but he wouldn’t have to wait long before having another chance. He was at the heart of the move as he collected a loose ball on the last, evaded one challenge and lifted a kick right. Scott Galeano left the ball for teammate Bennison, who patiently waited before seizing the opportunity, diving in to score. Hunter couldn’t add the extras. Hull responded as James Bell was stopped just short of the try line, and the visitors reduced the deficit as Sezer made a 40 meter dash, pushing off the Knights’ challenges before scoring. Hardaker converted from the central position. The match was turned on its head as FC pulled in front ten minutes before the break, with Briscoe receiving the ball after some good handling from the visitors, before he exploited a gap in the defence to score. Hardaker’s conversion was swung wide. The Knights would be hit by one further blow before the break, as Hugo Salabio’s clever offload into Batchelor resulted in their third, and final, try of the evening. Hardaker converted, meaning FC took an eight point lead into the break. York had to respond after fading away towards the end of the half, and after a half-time chat with Applegarth, they produced an early try. FC loanee Balmforth was the man of the moment as he picked up the ball and dodged multiple challenges before diving in to score against his parent club. Bennison took over on kicking duties and added the extras. York upped their pressure as Toa Mata’afa was denied a try by O’Neill, and they drew the scores level after a late tackle earned a penalty, with Bennison opting to kick for the two. He duly obliged, meaning it was well and truly game on with half an hour to play. On the hour mark, the winning try would go York’s way as Williams got on the end of a grubber towards the corner, slamming the ball down. Bennison’s conversion floated wide of the sticks. York thought they may have wrapped the game up when Williams appeared to have scored from another grubber, but after review from the video referee, it was ruled out. And Hull had their hosts on the defence as they looked to score what could have been an equalising try in the dying stages. They thought they had done so when Herman Ese’ese grounded the ball with two minutes left on the clock, but with an on-field decision on no try from Tara Jones, video referee Kieran Rush thankfully agreed for the Knights. York held on for a sixth win of the season, and a third victory in a row as Applegarth’s side continue to go from strength to strength in their Super League campaign. YORK KNIGHTS: Mata’afa, Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Buchanan, Field, Thompson INTERCHANGES: Balmforth, Vaughan, Foster, Hingano TRIES: Nofoaluma (9), Bennison (19), Balmforth (43), Williams (61) GOALS: Hunter 0/2, Bennison 2/3 HULL FC: Moy, Barron, Briscoe, Hardaker, Martin, Arthur, Sezer, Ese’ese, Bourouh, Hill, O’Neill, Batchelor, Bell INTERCHANGES: Aydin, Clark, Cust, Salabio TRIES: Sezer (26), Briscoe (30), Batchelor (37) GOALS: Hardaker 2/3 POINTS SEQUENCE: 4-0, 8-0, 8-4, 8-6, 8-10, 8-14, 8-16, 12-16, 14-16, 16-16, 20-16 HALF TIME: 8-16