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 Scott Galeano. The victory marked the Knights' third Betfred Super League win of the campaign and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned all competitions. The match got off to an early burst when York’s forward Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day, powered his way over the try line under the posts.
Vaughan’s effort gave the home side an immediate lead and set the tone for a dominant first half. A second try attempt by York, which saw the ball placed in the corner, was disallowed because the referee ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded, but the early momentum was already with the Knights. Undeterred, Vaughan struck again shortly thereafter, crossing for his second try of the evening.
This time the conversion was successfully kicked by Cody Hunter, extending York’s advantage to 12-0 after just 20 minutes of play. The early points cushion allowed York to dictate the pace and keep Toulouse on the back foot. Toulouse managed to get on the scoreboard after about 30 minutes when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut back inside and touch down, narrowing the gap to 12-6.
However, the Australian winger Scott Galeano responded immediately, diving into the right corner for a try that pushed York’s lead to 18-6 at the halftime break. The half‑time score reflected York’s control of the game and hinted at the attacking fireworks that would follow in the second half.
The second half began with York continuing to press forward. At the 55‑minute mark, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, managed to hook the ball back, and was driven into the advertising boards by defending players.
The ball was then presented to Galeano, who took advantage of the chaotic situation and grounded the ball for an easy try. This added another try to Galeano’s tally and further widened the margin. Kieran Buchanan then added a try of his own, cementing York’s dominance.
Following Buchanan’s effort, Cody Hunter slotted a penalty goal, taking the score to 32-6 just after the hour mark. At this point, York’s confidence was soaring, and they appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable victory. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the league table and were positioned below York only on points difference, fought back with a late surge.
In the 66th minute, Henry O'Kane displayed impressive strength and determination, managing to ground the ball despite being held up by two York defenders. His try reduced the deficit and gave the French side a glimmer of hope. The Knights, however, were not finished.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, sealing his personal contribution to the win and ensuring York’s lead would be insurmountable. Toulouse managed a final consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but the French side fell to their seventh league defeat of the season.
Beyond the York‑Toulouse clash, the Thursday night schedule featured another notable result. Leigh Leopards overcame Huddersfield Giants 30-16, with Josh Charnley scoring two second‑half tries.
Charnley, who celebrated his 400th appearance, increased his Super League try tally to 263, bringing him within five of the all‑time record held by Ryan Hall. AJ Towse also crossed for two tries, while Innes Senior added another, and a penalty try was awarded after a foul on a clear scoring opportunity, credited to Lachlan Lam.
Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained joint‑bottom of the table, level with Toulouse on four points. Leigh’s victory lifted them to eighth place, showing a clear upward trajectory. Overall, the night highlighted York’s resurgence under the guidance of their coaching staff and the impact of key players like Galeano and Vaughan. Their ability to convert early pressure into a substantial lead, coupled with disciplined defense, will be crucial as the season progresses and the battle for survival intensifies.
Meanwhile, Leigh’s strong performance and Charnley’s milestone underscore their ambitions to climb further up the standings. The Super League continues to deliver thrilling contests, with Sky Sports broadcasting every match live, ensuring fans can follow the drama week after week.