Hull KR unleashed a spectacular display, crossing the try line eight times and securing their third consecutive Betfred Super League triumph with a commanding 46‑0 shutout of Toulouse. The visitors struck first when Elliot Minchella broke the deadlock early in the match, and although a subsequent effort was overturned after a video review, the momentum was firmly with Hull KR.
Rhyse Martin capitalized on a high kick from Mikey Lewis, sprinting through a disorganized Toulouse defence to extend the lead to 12‑0. The Rovers continued to pile on the points, adding two more tries on either side of the interval. In the first half, Tyrone May handed the ball to Dean Hadley, who powered over for the fourth try, while just three minutes after the restart Joe Burgess finished a flowing move to make it 24‑0.
By this stage the home side’s morale was visibly waning, and the relentless pressure from the defending champions forced Toulouse into a series of errors. The onslaught did not stop there.
A fifth try saw Lewis break through a feeble defensive line and hand the ball to hooker Jez Litten, who touched down with ease. The visitors’ defensive discipline also shone when Peta Hiku intercepted a wayward pass intended to shift the ball wide, sprinting the full length of the field to add another try to the tally. Lewis, demonstrating his speed and vision, darted through again to set up Jai Whitbread for the seventh score, and Burgess capped the night with a second try of his own, sealing a dominant performance that handed Toulouse their sixth straight defeat. In a separate fixture, Leigh returned to winning form in the Betfred Super League, edging out York 18‑6 in a hard‑fought encounter at the LNER Community Stadium.
Adrian Lam’s side had struggled in recent weeks, managing only one victory in their previous four outings across all competitions. This win could prove pivotal as the club looks to climb the table and secure a more comfortable position. The first half was tightly contested. Gareth O'Brien and Xavier Va'a each crossed for York, but a penalty kick by Adam Cook gave Leigh a slender 8‑6 advantage at the break.
The second half saw Leigh’s experience shine through. Josh Charnley and Jacob Alick‑Wiencke each scored within a ten‑minute span, helping the Leopards pull away and cement their place in tenth position on the league ladder.
Both clubs entered the match with identical records of two wins from seven games, but Leigh held the edge in points difference, placing them a spot above York in twelfth. Despite a spate of injuries that kept David Armstrong, Umyla Hanley and Bailey Hodgson sidelined, Leigh welcomed back several key players. Former York winger AJ Towse, now wearing Leigh colours, suffered a heavy tackle early on but responded with a crucial last‑ditch tackle to deny Scott Galeano, setting the tone for his side.
Towse’s effort was rewarded when O'Brien finished a slick move to give Leigh the lead in the 14th minute. A controversial moment followed when Edwin Pape’s grubber kick ricocheted off two York defenders and teammate Frankie Halton, only for Lachlan Lam to dive on the loose ball. The try was later ruled out for off‑side, a decision that seemed to galvanise the home team. Shortly after, Va’a powered a drive under the posts to level the scores at 8‑8.
York’s only try came from a player who was later sin‑binned for a shoulder charge in the 29th minute. Cook’s reliable boot added a routine penalty, restoring Leigh’s 8‑6 lead heading into halftime. The second half was a battle of attrition, with few clear chances. Towse came close to scoring again, but a superb covering tackle stripped the ball from his aerial attempt in the left corner, highlighting York’s defensive resilience.
The turning point arrived in the 56th minute when Charnley sliced through the right‑hand side, crossing for Leigh’s second try of the night. Alick‑Wiencke then forced his way past a tentative York defence to notch the third try, and Cook’s third successful penalty extended the margin to 18‑6. York fought back in the closing stages, with Paul Vaughan breaking through but being held short of the try line. Despite their efforts, the visitors held firm, handing Mark Applegarth’s side a fifth consecutive Super League loss.
Both matches underscore the contrasting fortunes of the clubs involved. Hull KR’s flawless performance against Toulouse showcases a side firing on all cylinders, both offensively and defensively, while Leigh’s gritty victory over York demonstrates the importance of resilience and tactical execution in tight contests. As the season progresses, these results could have significant implications for playoff positioning and overall league dynamics.
Fans can continue to follow every Super League game live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast two matches each round exclusively, with the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+ throughout the campaign.