York secured a convincing 38-14 triumph over fellow relegation candidates Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks to a spectacular hat‑trick from Scott Galeano that helped the Knights notch their third Betfred Super League win of the campaign. The victory was particularly sweet for York, who had endured a five‑match losing streak across all competitions prior to the encounter. The match got off to a lively start when Paul Vaughan, celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the try line under the posts to give York an early lead.
A subsequent try appeared to follow when a York player grounded the ball in the corner, but the referee ruled it out because the ball had not been properly grounded. Undeterred, Vaughan struck again shortly thereafter, this time finishing a well‑executed move that saw Cody Hunter add the conversion. By the 20‑minute mark York were leading 12-0, setting the tone for the rest of the half.
Toulouse responded after about thirty minutes when Thomas Lacans used his quick footwork to cut inside and score, finally getting the visitors on the scoreboard. However, the lead was short‑lived; Australian winger Scott Galeano dived into the right‑hand corner for his first try of the night, pushing York’s advantage to 18-6 at the break.
The second half saw York continue to dominate possession and territory. At the 55‑minute point Jesse Dee chased a high kick, was forced into the advertising boards, and managed to hook the ball back to Galeano, who was waiting in a prime position. Galeano calmly grounded the ball for his second try, extending the lead further.
Kieran Buchanan then added another try for York, cementing their control of the game. Cody Hunter’s reliable boot added a penalty goal shortly after the hour mark, bringing the score to 32-6. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the table on points difference behind York, managed to claw a second try in the 66th minute.
Henry O'Kane displayed considerable strength, powering through a York defensive line and grounding the ball despite pressure from two opposing players. The French side’s consolation came later when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense to score a late try, but the result was already decided.
In the final minutes, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, scoring his third try with eight minutes remaining and sealing York’s victory in emphatic fashion. The win not only halted York’s recent slump but also moved them a step up the league table, while Toulouse suffered their seventh defeat of the season, leaving them entrenched near the bottom. The night’s action was not limited to the York‑Toulouse clash. Elsewhere, Leigh Leopards delivered a dominant performance against Huddersfield Giants, with Josh Charnley crossing the line twice in the second half to help Leigh secure a 30-16 win.
Charnley, who celebrated his 400th professional appearance, added two more tries to his career tally, bringing his Super League total to 263 and putting him within five of the all‑time record held by Ryan Hall. Leigh’s victory was also bolstered by a brace 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 they were unable to stem Leigh’s momentum.
The result left the Giants joint‑bottom of the table alongside Toulouse, both on four points, while Leigh climbed to eighth place. Overall, the Thursday night fixtures provided plenty of drama for Super League fans. York’s hat‑trick heroics from Galeano highlighted the importance of individual brilliance in a team sport, while Leigh’s comprehensive win underscored their growing confidence as the season progresses.
The league continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with each round featuring two exclusive live matches and the remaining games shown throughout the week, ensuring supporters can follow every twist and turn of the competition.