York secured a convincing 38‑14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, largely thanks to a three‑try performance from Scott Galeano. The win marked York’s third Betfred Super League success of the season and snapped 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 over the line beneath the posts.
Vaughan’s try was followed by a controversial moment when a second effort, this time from the right corner, was disallowed because the officials ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded. Undeterred, York continued to press, and Vaughan added a second try before the half‑hour mark. Cody Hunter’s reliable conversion pushed the home side ahead 12‑0 after just 20 minutes of play. Toulouse responded after the 30‑minute mark when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut back inside and touch down, giving the French side a glimmer of hope.
However, York’s momentum was too strong to halt. Australian winger Scott Galeano swooped in at the right corner to score, extending York’s lead to 18‑6 at the break.
The half‑time score reflected York’s dominance in both the forward battle and the back‑line execution. The second half saw York further consolidate their advantage. At the 55‑minute point, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, only to be forced into the advertising boards by a cluster of York defenders.
The ball ricocheted back, presenting Galeano with a straightforward grounding opportunity, and he seized it for his second try of the night. Kieran Buchanan then added another try, reinforcing York’s control of the match. Cody Hunter’s accurate penalty kick after the hour mark brought the scoreboard to 32‑6, a margin that seemed insurmountable for the visitors.
Toulouse, who had been languishing at the bottom of the table and were trailing York on points difference, managed to claw back a consolation try in the 66th minute. Henry O’Kane displayed impressive physicality, powering through a defensive wall and grounding the ball despite being tackled by a pair of York players. The French side’s effort, however, was insufficient to change the outcome, and they remained on the back foot for the remainder of the game. In the closing stages, York finished the match with flair.
With eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, capping off a personal performance that will be remembered by the Knights’ supporters for weeks to come. Toulouse managed a final consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but the French club suffered their seventh league defeat of the campaign, further widening the gap between them and the safety zone. Beyond the York‑Toulouse encounter, Thursday night offered additional Super League drama. Leigh Leopards delivered a commanding 30‑16 victory over the Huddersfield Giants, propelled by two second‑half tries from veteran Josh Charnley.
Charnley, who celebrated his 400th appearance, not only added two more tries to his personal tally—bringing him to 263—but also edged closer to the historic record held by Ryan Hall, now just five tries away. Leigh’s dominance was bolstered by a strong supporting cast. AJ Towse crossed the line twice, Innes Senior added his own try, and Lachlan Lam contributed a penalty try, ensuring a comprehensive win. Huddersfield’s points came from Adam Swift, Taane Milne, and Jacob Gagai, but their efforts were not enough to stem Leigh’s surge.
The result left the Giants level with Toulouse at the bottom of the table, each with four points, while Leigh climbed to eighth place, positioning themselves for a potential push toward the playoff spots. Overall, the night highlighted York’s resurgence under pressure, with Galeano’s hat‑trick serving as the catalyst for a much‑needed morale boost.
The Knights now have momentum on their side as they aim to climb out of the relegation zone, while Toulouse must regroup quickly to avoid further slide. Meanwhile, Leigh’s impressive performance against Huddersfield underscores their ambition to challenge the league’s upper echelons as the season progresses.
For fans seeking live coverage, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game throughout the season, offering exclusive live streams for two matches each round and airing the remaining fixtures across its channels.