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 Australian winger Scott Galeano. The win marked York’s third Betfred Super League success of the campaign and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had stretched across all competitions.
The Knights opened the scoring early, with centre Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powering over the line beneath the posts. Vaughan’s try was quickly followed by a controversial moment when a second effort in the corner was disallowed because the referee ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded. Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan crossed again just before the 20‑minute mark. This time his effort was successfully converted by kicker Cody Hunter, putting the home side firmly in front at 12‑0.
Toulouse attempted to respond before the half‑hour deadline. Their winger Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut inside and touch down, narrowing the gap to 12‑6. However, York’s momentum was unshakable.
Galeano, who had been a constant threat on the right flank, dove into the right‑hand corner for his first try of the night, extending the lead to 18‑6 as the teams headed into the break. The second half began with York continuing to dominate possession and territory.
At the 55‑minute point, full‑back Jesse Dee chased a high kick, managed to hook the ball back while being driven into the advertising boards, and set up Galeano for an easy grounding. The Australian’s second try of the evening pushed the score to 24‑6 and highlighted his aerial prowess and finishing ability. York’s control of the match only grew stronger. Kieran Buchanan added a further try for the Knights, cementing their superiority.
Shortly after the hour mark, Hunter slotted a penalty goal, taking the tally to 32‑6. At this stage, Toulouse, who were sitting at the bottom of the league table on points difference behind York, were left to chase a seemingly impossible comeback. In the 66th minute, the French side managed to breach York’s defence once more.
Henry O’Kane, showing considerable strength and determination, powered the ball over the line despite being held up by a pair of York defenders. The try reduced the deficit to 32‑10 and gave Toulouse a glimmer of hope. York, however, were not finished. With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, diving into the right corner for his third try of the match.
This final score‑line push brought the scoreboard to 38‑10 and effectively sealed the victory for the home side. Toulouse managed a late consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the Knights’ defensive line, bringing the final result to 38‑14.
The French club suffered their seventh league defeat of the season, cementing their position at the foot of the table. Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards delivered a dominant performance against the Huddersfield Giants, winning 30‑16. Veteran winger Josh Charnley, who was celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the line twice in the second half, raising his Super League try count to 263 and leaving him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record.
AJ Towse also contributed two tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam earned a penalty try, showcasing Leigh’s attacking depth. The Giants, who remain joint‑bottom of the league alongside Toulouse with four points each, could only muster three tries from Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai.
Leigh’s victory lifted them to eighth place on the table, providing a much‑needed boost to their season. Overall, the weekend’s fixtures highlighted the stark contrast between the two ends of the Super League table. York’s comprehensive win, underpinned by Galeano’s hat‑trick and a solid kicking performance from Cody Hunter, demonstrated their capacity to compete when everything clicks.
Meanwhile, Leigh’s clinical display against Huddersfield reinforced their ambitions to climb higher in the standings. Fans can continue to follow the league’s progress through Sky Sports, which will broadcast every Super League match this season, with two games each round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures available throughout the week.
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