York secured a convincing 38-14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battle side Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, propelled by a spectacular hat‑trick from Scott Galeano. The win marked York's third success of the Betfred Super League campaign and snapped a five‑match losing streak that had spanned all competitions.
The Knights began the encounter on a positive note. Paul Vaughan, who was celebrating his 35th birthday, powered his way over the line early in the first half, giving the home side an immediate lead.
A second early try appeared when York’s winger crossed the try‑line in the corner, but officials ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded, nullifying the score. Undeterred, York pressed on and Vaughan added a second try before the half‑hour mark. Cody Hunter’s reliable conversion kicked the scoreboard to 12‑0, establishing a comfortable cushion for the hosts. Toulouse responded after roughly thirty minutes when Thomas Lacans used his quick footwork to cut inside and touch down, narrowing the gap.
However, the Australian winger Scott Galeano answered swiftly, diving into the right‑hand corner to extend York's lead to 18‑6 at the break. The first half therefore ended with York firmly in control, thanks to a blend of physicality, disciplined defense, and opportunistic attacking play. The second half saw York continue to dominate. At the 55‑minute mark, a well‑timed kick was chased by Jesse Dee, who managed to hook the ball back despite being driven into the advertising boards.
The ensuing scramble left Galeano with a simple grounding opportunity, and he seized it, adding his second try of the match. Kieran Buchanan then crossed for another York try, further cementing the Knights' superiority. Cody Hunter’s accurate penalty kick after the hour pushed the tally to 32‑6, leaving Toulouse with a steep hill to climb. Toulouse, who had been positioned at the very bottom of the table on points difference behind York, managed to claw a consolation try in the 66th minute.
Henry O'Kane displayed considerable strength, powering the ball over the line despite being held up by a pair of York defenders. The French side’s effort provided a brief spark, but the Knights remained unflappable. In the closing stages, Galeano completed his hat‑trick with a try eight minutes from full‑time, sealing a personal milestone and ensuring York's dominance was unequivocal.
Toulouse managed a late consolation when Mathieu Jussaume broke through the defensive line, but the final score of 38‑14 reflected York’s comprehensive performance and marked Toulouse’s seventh league defeat of the season. Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards delivered a commanding display against the Huddersfield Giants, winning 30‑16. Veteran winger Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th professional appearance, crossed the line twice in the second half, raising his Super League try total to 263 and bringing him within five of the all‑time record held by Ryan Hall.
AJ Towse contributed two tries of his own, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam secured a penalty try, showcasing Leigh’s depth and attacking versatility. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants could not stem Leigh’s momentum and remained joint‑bottom of the table alongside Toulouse, both sitting on four points. Leigh’s victory lifted them to eighth place, underscoring a mid‑season resurgence.
The Super League continues to broadcast every match live this season, with Sky Sports offering exclusive live coverage of two fixtures each round and streaming the remaining five matches weekly. Fans are encouraged to use Chrome for the most accessible video player experience. The latest league table reflects York’s upward movement after their third win, while Toulouse’s struggles persist, highlighting the competitive nature of the relegation fight as the season progresses.