York secured a convincing 38‑14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a spectacular hat‑trick from Scott Galeano. The victory marked York’s third win of the Betfred Super League season and snapped a five‑game losing streak that had spanned all competitions. The Knights entered the match on a bleak run of form, having dropped their previous five fixtures.
Early optimism arrived when Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the line under the posts to give York an early advantage. A subsequent try that appeared to be scored in the corner was disallowed after officials determined the ball had not been properly grounded, leaving the score unchanged. York, however, quickly re‑established momentum.
Vaughan crossed the line once more, this time converting his own effort with the help of kicker Cody Hunter. By the 20‑minute mark the home side were leading 12‑0, a comfortable cushion that set the tone for the remainder of the first half. Toulouse attempted to claw back into the contest after the thirty‑minute point, with Thomas Lacans showcasing quick footwork to cut back inside and touch down for the visitors.
The try trimmed the deficit, but the Knights responded almost immediately. Australian winger Scott Galeano dove into the right‑hand corner, extending York’s lead to 18‑6 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half opened with York continuing to dominate possession and territory. At the 55‑minute point, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, managed to hook the ball back, and was driven into the advertising boards by a cluster of defenders. The chaotic scene left Galeano with a simple grounding opportunity, and he seized it, adding his second try of the evening.
Kieran Buchanan then added another score for the Knights, further cementing York’s control of the match. Cody Hunter followed with a successful penalty kick, pushing the tally to 32‑6 shortly after the hour mark. At this stage, York’s confidence was palpable, and their defensive structure kept Toulouse at bay.
Toulouse, who had been languishing at the bottom of the table and were positioned below York on points difference, managed to spark a brief revival in the 66th minute. Henry O’Kane displayed impressive power, breaking through a wall of York players to ground the ball for a try. The French side’s effort narrowed the gap, but the Knights were far from rattled.
As the clock wound down, York finished the game with a flourish. With just eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, sealing his personal contribution and ensuring a comprehensive victory.
Toulouse managed a late consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but the damage was already done; the French club suffered their seventh league defeat of the campaign. Beyond the York‑Toulouse encounter, Thursday night offered other notable action. Leigh Leopards delivered a solid 30‑16 win over Huddersfield Giants, propelled by two second‑half tries from veteran Josh Charnley. The occasion was doubly special for Charnley, who celebrated his 400th appearance by adding two scores to his career total, bringing his Super League try count to 263 and placing him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record.
Leigh’s victory was further supported by a brace of tries from AJ Towse, a try from Innes Senior, and a penalty try awarded after a foul on Lachlan Lam. Huddersfield’s points came from the efforts of Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained stuck at the foot of the table, level with Toulouse on four points. The results reshaped the league standings: York climbed to a more comfortable mid‑table position, while Leigh moved up to eighth place, distancing themselves from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, the Giants and Toulouse continue to battle at the bottom, each desperate for points to avoid the drop. Fans looking to follow the Super League can stream matches without a contractual commitment, and Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster, offering live coverage of every game throughout the season. Two matches per round receive exclusive live treatment, with the remaining five fixtures broadcast each week on the Sky Sports platform. Overall, the night highlighted York’s resurgence under pressure, Galeano’s emerging status as a try‑scoring threat, and Leigh’s experienced squad leveraging veteran leadership to secure vital points.
Both clubs will aim to build on these performances as the season progresses, while Toulouse and Huddersfield must regroup quickly to halt their slide down the table.