York secured a convincing 38-14 triumph over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks largely to a spectacular hat‑trick from Scott Galeano. The win marked York's third Betfred Super League success of the season and snapped a dismal run of five straight defeats across all competitions. The Knights opened the scoring early, with Paul Vaughan – who was celebrating his 35th birthday on the day – powering his way over the try line under the posts.
Vaughan's effort gave the home side an immediate psychological boost, although a subsequent try 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 with Cody Hunter successfully converting, to put York ahead 12-0 after just twenty minutes of play. Toulouse responded after the half‑hour mark when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork, cutting back inside to touch down and narrow the deficit to 12-6.
However, the momentum quickly swung back to York as Australian winger Scott Galeano dived into the right‑hand corner, extending the lead to 18-6 at the break. The second half saw York continue to dominate possession and territory. At the 55‑minute mark, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, was forced into the advertising boards, and managed to hook the ball back to Galeano, who completed an effortless grounding for his second try of the evening.
The Knights' control was further cemented when Kieran Buchanan added another try, followed by a reliable penalty kick from Hunter that pushed the score to 32-6 just after the hour‑long mark. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the bottom of the league table and trailing York only on points difference, fought back with a try in the 66th minute.
Henry O'Kane exhibited remarkable strength, powering the ball to the ground despite being held up by a pair of York defenders, reducing the margin to 32-12. Yet York's dominance was unshakable; with eight minutes remaining, Galeano completed his hat‑trick, sealing the match in spectacular fashion. In the closing moments, Toulouse managed a consolation score when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defensive line, but it was too little, too late. The French side suffered their seventh league defeat of the campaign, leaving them firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.
Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards delivered a solid performance of their own, defeating the Huddersfield Giants 30-16. Josh Charnley, marking his 400th appearance for Leigh, crossed the line twice in the second half, taking his Super League try total to 263 and positioning him just five tries behind the record held by Ryan Hall.
AJ Towse contributed two tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam secured a penalty try, underscoring Leigh's attacking depth. Huddersfield's points came from tries by Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai, but the Giants remained stuck at the bottom of the table, level with Toulouse on four points. Leigh's victory lifted them to eighth place, offering a glimmer of optimism for their supporters.
The latest Super League table reflects York's upward trajectory after the win, while Toulouse continues to grapple with their poor run of form. Fans can follow the competition live via Sky Sports, which broadcasts every match of the season, offering two exclusive live fixtures each round and streaming the remaining five matches weekly. Overall, the night highlighted York's resurgence, driven by Galeano's clinical finishing and a cohesive team effort, while Leigh's seasoned campaigner Charnley reminded everyone of his enduring class. Both clubs will look to build on these performances as the league progresses, hoping to climb the standings and secure their places in the top tier for the following season.