York secured a convincing 38-14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battle participants Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a three‑try performance from Scott Galeano. The win marked York’s third success of the Betfred Super League season and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had stretched across all competitions.
The Knights got off to an early start when Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the try line beneath the posts. Vaughan’s effort gave York an immediate advantage, although a subsequent try that appeared to be scored in the corner was disallowed because the ball had not been properly grounded.
Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan crossed the line once more, this time converted by Cody Hunter, to extend the lead to 12-0 within the first 20 minutes of play. Toulouse responded after roughly thirty minutes when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork, cutting back inside and grounding the ball to get the visitors on the scoreboard. However, the momentum quickly swung back to York when Australian winger Scott Galeano dived into the right‑hand corner, pushing the half‑time score to 18-6 in York’s favour. The second half opened with York continuing 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 driven into the advertising boards by a cluster of York defenders. The resulting scramble left Galeano with a straightforward opportunity to score his second try of the evening, further cementing his impact on the match. Kieran Buchanan added another try for the home side, giving York an even larger cushion. Cody Hunter then slotted a penalty goal, taking the tally to 32-6 just after the hour hand had passed.
At this point, York appeared to be in full control, dictating the pace and limiting Toulouse’s chances to mount a comeback. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the league table and were trailing York only on points difference, managed to break through once more in the 66th minute. Henry O'Kane displayed considerable power, grounding the ball after a determined drive despite being held up by a pair of York players.
This try offered a brief spark for the French side, but the gap remained substantial. The final minutes saw York finish strongly. With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, securing his third try of the match and sealing the result.
Toulouse managed a late consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but it was insufficient to prevent a seventh league defeat for the French club. In other Super League action on Thursday night, Leigh Leopards delivered a solid performance against Huddersfield Giants, winning 30-16.
Veteran full‑back Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the line twice in the second half, bringing his career try total to 263 and placing him just five tries shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record. AJ Towse contributed two tries of his own, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam earned a penalty try, ensuring a comfortable margin for Leigh. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained stuck at the foot of the table, level with Toulouse on four points. Leigh, meanwhile, moved up to eighth place in the standings.
The Super League continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the season, with two matches each round shown exclusively live and the remaining five fixtures streamed each week on the network. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. Overall, York’s performance demonstrated a renewed confidence after a string of defeats, with Galeano’s hat‑trick providing the highlight reel moment.
The Knights will look to build on this momentum as the season progresses, hoping to climb further up the table and secure a more comfortable position before the final rounds. Meanwhile, Toulouse must regroup quickly to avoid further slide down the rankings, while Leigh’s victory over Huddersfield signals their intent to push for a higher finish in the league.