York secured a convincing 38-14 victory over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a three‑try performance from Scott Galeano. The win marked York’s third triumph in the Betfred Super League and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned 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 try line beneath the posts. A second try that appeared to be scored in the corner was subsequently disallowed because the referee determined that the ball had not been properly grounded. Nonetheless, York continued to apply pressure and soon extended their lead. Vaughan crossed the line again, this time with the assistance of a successful conversion by Cody Hunter, putting the home side ahead 12-0 after just 20 minutes of play.
Toulouse managed to get on the scoreboard before the half‑hour mark when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut inside and touch down, reducing the deficit to 12-6. However, the Australian winger Galeano answered swiftly, diving into the right‑hand corner to add another try for York. The half‑time whistle blew with York enjoying an 18-6 advantage.
The second half saw York continue to dominate possession and territory. At the 55‑minute mark, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, managed to hook the ball back, and was subsequently bundled into the advertising boards by a cluster of York defenders. The chaos left Galeano with a clear path to the line, and he took full advantage, grounding the ball for his second try of the evening.
A few minutes later, Kieran Buchanan added yet another try, cementing York’s control of the match. Cody Hunter then slotted a penalty goal, extending the lead to 32-6 just after the hour mark.
Toulouse, who had been sitting at the very bottom of the league table—below York on points difference—refused to surrender without a fight. In the 66th minute, Henry O'Kane displayed considerable strength, managing to ground the ball despite being held up by two York players. His effort resulted in Toulouse’s second try of the game, narrowing the gap slightly.
The Knights finished the match with a burst of energy. With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, securing his third try and bringing his personal tally for the night to three. This final score solidified York’s 38-14 win.
Toulouse managed a late consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume broke through the defense, but it was merely a footnote in a game that saw York claim their seventh league defeat of the season. In other Super League action on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards produced a strong performance of their own.
Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the try line twice in the second half, helping Leigh to a 30-16 victory over the Huddersfield Giants. Charnley’s two scores lifted his career try total to 263, placing him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record. AJ Towse also contributed two tries for Leigh, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam earned a penalty try, rounding out a comprehensive offensive display. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants could not overcome Leigh’s momentum.
The defeat left Huddersfield joint‑bottom of the table, level with Toulouse on four points, while Leigh’s win moved them up to eighth place. York’s victory not only halted their recent slide but also demonstrated the impact a single player can have on a match.
Galeano’s hat‑trick, combined with solid support from Vaughan, Hunter, Dee, Buchanan and others, highlighted a cohesive team effort that will be crucial as the Knights aim to climb out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Toulouse’s continued struggles underscore the challenges they face in turning around a season that has seen them languish at the foot of the standings.
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