York secured a convincing 38‑14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks largely to a three‑try performance 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 stretched across all competitions. The Knights opened the scoring early when Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the line under the posts. Vaughan’s try was quickly followed by a controversial moment when a second effort in the corner was disallowed because the referee judged that the ball had not been properly grounded.
Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan added a second try before the half‑hour mark, with Cody Hunter converting both conversions to give the home side a 12‑0 lead after just 20 minutes of play. Toulouse managed to get on the scoreboard shortly after the 30‑minute mark when Thomas Lacans displayed some quick footwork, cutting back inside and diving over in the corner.
The French side, however, still trailed 18‑6 at the interval after Galeano, the Australian winger, completed a spectacular dive in the right‑hand corner to extend York’s advantage. The second half saw York continue to dominate. In the 55th minute, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, was bundled into the advertising boards, and managed to hook the ball back to Galeano, who was waiting unchallenged to ground the ball for his second try of the evening. Kieran Buchanan then added another try, further cementing York’s control of the match.
Cody Hunter added a penalty goal shortly after the hour mark, pushing the score to 32‑6. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the very bottom of the table on points difference behind York, fought back with a try in the 66th minute. Henry O’Kane displayed impressive strength, powering the ball over the line despite the pressure from a pair of York defenders.
The French side’s hopes of a comeback were quickly dampened when, with eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, sealing York’s victory. In the closing stages, Toulouse managed a consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defensive line, but it was too little, too late.
The final whistle confirmed a 38‑14 win for York, delivering the Knights their third league victory and moving them up the table, while Toulouse suffered their seventh defeat of the campaign. Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards also enjoyed a successful outing, overcoming the Huddersfield Giants 30‑16.
Veteran winger Josh Charnley, who was celebrating his 400th appearance, scored two second‑half tries, bringing his Super League try total to 263 and placing him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record. AJ Towse contributed a brace of tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam was awarded a penalty try, rounding out a comprehensive performance for Leigh. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but it was not enough to prevent the Giants from remaining joint‑bottom of the league alongside Toulouse, each with four points. Leigh’s win lifted them to eighth place in the standings.
The weekend’s results had a noticeable impact on the Super League table, with York climbing out of the relegation zone and Leigh solidifying a mid‑table position. Fans were encouraged to stream the matches using a Chrome browser for the best video experience, as the league continues to promote accessibility across its digital platforms. Looking ahead, Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League game live throughout the season. Two matches each round will be shown exclusively live, while the remaining five fixtures will be aired on Sky Sports channels, ensuring that supporters can follow the action wherever they are.
Overall, the Thursday night fixtures highlighted the importance of experience and opportunism in the Super League. York’s ability to capitalize on early momentum, combined with Galeano’s clinical finishing, demonstrated how a single player’s brilliance can turn the tide of a match. Meanwhile, Leigh’s balanced attack, featuring contributions from multiple try‑scorers, underscored the value of a well‑rounded squad in securing consistent results. Both clubs will now turn their focus to upcoming fixtures, aiming to build on these performances.
York will look to maintain their upward trajectory and distance themselves further from the relegation battle, while Toulouse must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the ladder. Leigh, buoyed by Charnley’s milestone and the team’s cohesive play, will aim to continue climbing the table, whereas Huddersfield will seek to address defensive lapses that cost them against a determined Leigh side.
The Super League’s competitive landscape remains fluid, with each match capable of reshaping the standings. Supporters are encouraged to stay engaged, follow live streams, and keep up with the latest table updates as the season progresses.