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 win marked York's third Betfred Super League success of the season and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned all competitions. The Knights opened the scoring early, with Paul Vaughan—who was celebrating his 35th birthday—ploughing his way over the line under the posts.
Vaughan's effort gave York an immediate psychological edge, and a subsequent try in the corner was disallowed when officials ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded. Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan crossed again shortly thereafter. This time the conversion was successfully taken by Cody Hunter, pushing the home side to a 12-0 lead within the first 20 minutes of play.
Toulouse attempted to respond, and after about thirty minutes Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut back inside and touch down, finally getting the visitors on the scoreboard. However, the momentum quickly shifted back to York when Australian winger Scott Galeano dived into the right corner, extending the lead to 18-6 at the half‑time break. Galeano’s first try was a sign of things to come, as his speed and positional awareness began to dominate the match. The second half saw York further consolidate their advantage.
At the 55‑minute mark, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, and as he was forced into the advertising boards, he managed to hook the ball back, presenting Galeano with an easy grounding opportunity. Galeano seized the chance, scoring his second try of the night and reinforcing his growing reputation as a prolific finisher. Kieran Buchanan added another try for the Knights shortly thereafter, giving York a comfortable cushion.
Cody Hunter then slotted a penalty goal, bringing the score to 32-6 just after the hour mark. At this point, York appeared to be in complete control, dictating the tempo and territory while limiting Toulouse's attacking options. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the league table—just behind York on points difference—refused to capitulate entirely.
In the 66th minute, Henry O'Kane demonstrated considerable power and determination, managing to ground the ball despite being held up by a pair of York defenders. This try reduced the deficit and offered a glimmer of hope for the French side. The Knights, however, were not finished.
With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, crossing the line for the third time and cementing his status as the match’s standout performer. His three tries accounted for a significant portion of York's points and underscored his importance to the team's attacking strategy. Toulouse managed a late consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defensive line, but the effort came too late to alter the outcome. The French side suffered their seventh league defeat of the campaign, further entrenching their position at the foot of the table.
In addition to the York‑Toulouse clash, Thursday night featured another notable Super League encounter. Leigh Leopards defeated Huddersfield Giants 30-16, with veteran winger Josh Charnley playing a pivotal role. Charnley, celebrating his 400th professional appearance, scored two second‑half tries, bringing his career Super League try total to 263—just five shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record.
His performance was complemented 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 tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne, and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained joint‑bottom of the standings, level with Toulouse on four points. Leigh’s victory lifted them to eighth place, providing a much‑needed boost in the mid‑table race. Both matches were broadcast live on Sky Sports, which continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the Super League season, including exclusive live streams of two matches each round and additional fixtures across the week.
Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring a smooth and accessible viewing experience. Overall, York’s dominant display, powered by Galeano’s hat‑trick, and Leigh’s resilient win over Huddersfield highlight the competitive nature of the league as teams fight for survival and higher placements. The upcoming fixtures promise further excitement as clubs strive to improve their positions in the table.