York secured a convincing 38-14 win over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks largely to a three‑try performance from Scott Galeano. The triumph marked York's third Betfred Super League success of the season and broke 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, powered his way under the posts for a try. A second try appeared to have been awarded when Vaughan crossed in the corner, but the referee ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded, nullifying the effort.
Undeterred, York continued to press, and Vaughan added a second try before the half‑hour mark. Cody Hunter’s conversion gave the home side a 12-0 lead after just 20 minutes of play. Toulouse responded after roughly thirty minutes when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut back inside and touch down, putting the French side on the scoreboard. However, the momentum quickly swung back to York when Australian winger Scott Galeano dove into the right‑hand corner for a try, taking the halftime score to 18-6 in York's favour.
The second half saw York extend their dominance. At the 55‑minute point, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, was forced into the advertising boards, and managed to hook the ball back, creating an easy opportunity for Galeano, who grounded the ball for his second try of the evening.
Kieran Buchanan then added another try, further cementing York's control of the match. Shortly after the hour mark, Hunter slotted a penalty goal, pushing the tally to 32-6.
Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the table on points difference behind York, fought back with a try in the 66th minute. Henry O'Kane displayed considerable strength, managing to ground the ball despite being held up by two York defenders, narrowing the gap to 32-12.
York finished the game strongly. With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, sealing his third try and sealing the victory for the Knights. Toulouse managed a late consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but the French side succumbed to their seventh league defeat of the campaign.
In other action on Thursday night, Leigh Leopards delivered a solid performance against Huddersfield Giants, with Josh Charnley scoring two second‑half tries to help Leigh to a 30-16 win. The veteran winger, celebrating his 400th appearance, increased his Super League try total to 263, moving within five of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record.
AJ Towse also contributed a brace of tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam earned a penalty try. Huddersfield’s points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai. The Giants remain joint‑bottom of the table, level with Toulouse on four points, while Leigh climb to eighth place. The latest Super League table reflects York’s upward trajectory after the win, lifting them above Toulouse on points difference.
Leigh’s victory also sees them solidify a mid‑table position, whereas the Giants continue to struggle at the foot of the standings. Fans looking to follow the competition can stream Super League matches without a contract, and the Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon provides additional commentary. For those who prefer traditional television, Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game this season, offering two exclusive live matches each round and covering the remaining five fixtures each week. Overall, the night showcased York’s resurgence, highlighted by Galeano’s hat‑trick and a collective team effort that broke a difficult run of defeats.
Leigh’s win underscored the impact of experienced players like Charnley, while the ongoing battle for survival continues for Toulouse and Huddersfield as the season progresses.