York secured a convincing 38-14 victory over fellow relegation‑battle opponents Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a spectacular hat‑trick from Australian winger Scott Galeano. The win marked York's third success of the Betfred Super League season and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned all competitions. The match got off to an early burst when York’s forward Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the try line under the posts. Vaughan’s effort gave the home side an immediate advantage, though a subsequent try attempt from the corner was disallowed because the ball had not been properly grounded.
Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan struck again just minutes later, this time crossing near the right edge of the in‑goal area. The conversion was neatly handled by kicker Cody Hunter, extending York’s lead to 12-0 within the first 20 minutes of play.
Toulouse attempted to respond after the half‑hour mark when French centre Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork, cutting back inside and diving over to put the visitors on the board. The score was trimmed to 12-6, but York quickly regained momentum. Galeano, who had already shown his speed and agility, dived into the right corner for his first try of the evening, pushing the halftime score to 18-6 in York’s favour.
The second half saw York continue to dominate possession and territory. At the 55‑minute mark, a well‑timed kick was chased by York centre Jesse Dee, who managed to hook the ball back while being driven into the advertising boards. The ball ricocheted into the path of Galeano, who was standing ready for an easy grounding, adding his second try of the night and further widening the gap.
Kieran Buchanan then added another try for the Knights, cementing York’s control of the contest. Shortly after the hour hand, Hunter slotted a penalty goal, taking the tally to 32-6. At this point, the result seemed all but decided, but Toulouse refused to capitulate. In the 66th minute, Henry O'Kane demonstrated considerable strength and determination, breaking through a cluster of York defenders to ground the ball for a second try for the French side.
This effort gave Toulouse a glimmer of hope, but the Knights’ lead remained substantial. York’s dominance was reaffirmed in the closing stages.
With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, securing his third try of the match and sealing a comprehensive win for his team. Toulouse managed a late consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defensive line, but it was insufficient to alter the outcome.
The final whistle confirmed a 38-14 triumph for York, marking their third league win of the campaign and lifting them away from the bottom of the table. Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards delivered a solid performance against the Huddersfield Giants, emerging victorious with a 30-16 scoreline.
Veteran winger Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the line twice in the second half, boosting his Super League try total to 263 and placing him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record. AJ Towse also contributed two tries, while Innes Senior added another, and Lachlan Lam was credited with a penalty try after a sustained infringement by the Giants. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained joint‑bottom of the league, level with Toulouse on four points.
Leigh’s win propelled them up to eighth place, offering a glimpse of optimism for their supporters. The Super League continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the season, with two matches each round shown exclusively live and the remaining five fixtures streamed on the network’s platforms. Fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience when watching live action online. Overall, the Thursday night fixtures highlighted York’s resurgence after a difficult spell, driven by Galeano’s clinical finishing and a cohesive team effort, while Leigh’s seasoned campaigner Charnley reminded everyone of his enduring class with a milestone‑filled performance.
Both clubs will look to build on these results as the season progresses, aiming to climb the table and avoid the relegation zone.