Knights Secure Victory at Home
The York Knights secured a third consecutive Super League victory, marking a historical achievement for the club. This win came against Hull FC, whose difficulties in away matches continued. The Knights achieved their sixth win of the current campaign, moving them to ninth in the league standings and placing them above Hull FC, who have only recorded one away win this season.
York managed to overcome a deficit after being down 16-8 at half-time. Tries from David Nofoaluma, Jon Bennison, Denive Balmforth, and Nikau Williams were crucial for the Knights. Bennison also contributed with two successful kicks, adding to Hull FC‘s challenges after they had initially taken the lead with three tries within a 12-minute period.
The match saw a critical defensive play from veteran hooker Paul McShane of York. In the closing stages, with Hull FC pressing for an equaliser, McShane executed a last-ditch tackle that dislodged the ball from Herman Ese’ese near the try line, preventing a potential score.
First Half Action and Hull FC’s Initial Lead
The York Knights initiated the scoring with the game’s first two tries. Nofoaluma expertly finished in the left corner in the eighth minute, giving them an early lead. Following this, Bennison collected a pass after two strategic chips from Cody Hunter, extending York‘s advantage to 8-0.
However, Hull FC responded through a moment of skill from Aidan Sezer in the 25th minute. The Australian stand-off navigated through two defenders to score his first try since September 2025, bringing Hull FC back into contention. This was followed by Tom Briscoe scoring in the 30th minute after a well-executed play, and Joe Batchelor completing the turnaround with a try from a pass by Hugo Salabio. With Zak Hardaker converting twice, Hull FC held a strong position at the interval.
Second Half Comeback and Coaching Perspectives
York‘s fightback commenced just three minutes into the second half with a try from Balmforth. Bennison added the extras, and a subsequent penalty from him levelled the score at 16-16. Hull FC‘s discipline appeared to waver, as they conceded six penalties within the first 20 minutes of the second half. Williams then scored, giving York the lead and seemingly diminishing Hull FC‘s morale.
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth expressed pride in his team’s character, despite acknowledging that they made the second half challenging for themselves. He noted his dissatisfaction at half-time, feeling his team had allowed Hull FC back into the game, and highlighted the team’s grit and desire in the final 15 minutes of continuous defending.
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last conveyed his disappointment with a significant portion of his team’s performance. He pointed to a lack of attitude in the initial 20 minutes and criticised the team’s ill-discipline in the second half, which he felt prevented them from building pressure. Last also mentioned the recent departure of Jed Cartwright to St Helens, which necessitated late changes to the squad, though he stated this was not an excuse for the performance.
Hull FC‘s 21-man squad for the match included players such as Harvey Barron, Ethan O’Neill, and Yusuf Aydin, who returned from injury protocols and suspension respectively. Several players remained sidelined due to various injuries, including Will Pryce (ACL), John Asiata (hamstring), and Sam Lisone (pectoral). The match was officiated by referee Tara Jones.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
