York secured a convincing 38-14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battle side Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a three‑try haul from Scott Galeano. The win marked York’s third Betfred Super League success of the campaign and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned all competitions.
The Knights got off to a lively start when Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way under the posts for the opening score. A second try that crossed the line in the corner was disallowed after officials determined that the ball had not been properly grounded.
Nevertheless, York quickly extended the lead when Vaughan crossed again, this time with Cody Hunter successfully converting the conversion. By the twenty‑minute mark the home side were ahead 12-0. Toulouse began to find a foothold after roughly thirty minutes when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork, cutting back inside and grounding the ball to put the visitors on the scoreboard.
However, the lead was short‑lived; Australian winger Scott Galeano answered almost immediately, diving into the right‑hand corner to push York’s advantage to 18-6 at the interval. The second half saw York pull further away from their opponents. In the 55th minute, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, only to be forced into the advertising boards. The ball ricocheted back, presenting Galeano with a simple grounding opportunity, and he seized it for his second try of the evening.
Kieran Buchanan then added another try, cementing York’s dominance. Shortly after the hour mark, Hunter slotted a penalty, taking the score to 32-6. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the very bottom of the league table on points difference behind York, managed to claw back a second try in the 66th minute.
Henry O'Kane displayed impressive strength, powering the ball down despite being held by two York defenders. The French side’s consolation came late when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but the effort was insufficient to change the outcome; the match ended with York comfortably ahead. The final minutes saw Galeano complete his hat‑trick, scoring his third try with eight minutes remaining. The victory not only gave York a morale‑boosting three‑point haul but also provided a much‑needed lift after a string of defeats.
Meanwhile, Toulouse suffered their seventh league loss of the season, further entrenching their position at the foot of the table. In other Super League action on Thursday night, Leigh Leopards delivered a dominant performance against Huddersfield Giants, winning 30-16. Veteran Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the try line twice in the second half, raising his career total to 263 tries and moving within five of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record. AJ Towse also contributed two tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam secured a penalty try.
Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai. The result left the Giants level with Toulouse at the bottom of the standings, each with four points, while Leigh climbed to eighth place.
The weekend’s matches were broadcast live on Sky Sports, which continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the Super League, including exclusive live slots for two games each round and additional fixtures throughout the week. Overall, York’s performance highlighted their attacking potential when key players like Galeano and Vaughan are in form.
Their ability to convert early pressure into a sizable lead, combined with disciplined defense, suggests they could become a tougher opponent for teams fighting to avoid relegation. The Knights will look to build on this momentum in upcoming fixtures, aiming to climb further up the table and secure their Super League status for next season.