York secured a convincing 38‑14 win over fellow relegation‑battlers Toulouse at the LNER Community Stadium, thanks in large part to a spectacular hat‑trick from Scott Galeano. The triumph marked York’s third Betfred Super League victory of the season and snapped a five‑game losing streak that had spanned all competitions.
The match began on a celebratory note for York’s forward Paul Vaughan, who turned 35 on the day. Vaughan opened the scoring early, crashing over the line beneath the posts after a powerful drive from the scrum. A second try that appeared to follow was disallowed when the referee ruled that the ball had not been properly grounded in the corner.
Undeterred, York continued to apply pressure and Vaughan doubled his tally a short while later, this time converted by kicker Cody Hunter, giving the home side a 12‑0 advantage within the first 20 minutes. Toulouse responded after the half‑hour mark when Thomas Lacans displayed quick footwork to cut inside and touch down, narrowing the deficit to 12‑6.
However, York’s Australian winger Scott Galeano answered immediately, diving into the right‑hand corner to restore a comfortable lead of 18‑6 at the break. The first half therefore ended with York firmly in control, having built a 12‑point cushion. The second half saw York extend their dominance further.
In the 55th minute, Jesse Dee chased a high kick, only to be bundled into the advertising boards by defenders. The ball ricocheted back to Galeano, who collected it with ease and grounded it for his second try of the night. The momentum continued when Kieran Buchanan crossed for another try, reinforcing York’s grip on the game.
Cody Hunter added a penalty goal shortly after, pushing the score to 32‑6 just beyond the hour mark. Toulouse, who had been sitting at the very bottom of the table – even lower than York on points difference – managed to fight back in the 66th minute.
Henry O’Kane exhibited considerable strength, powering his way through a cluster of York players to touch down, reducing the margin to 32‑12. Despite this late surge, the French side could not overturn the deficit. In the closing stages, Galeano completed his hat‑trick with a try scored eight minutes from full‑time, sealing the final score at 38‑14. Toulouse added a consolation try when Mathieu Jussaume burst through the defense, but it was too little, too late, as the club suffered its seventh league defeat of the campaign.
Elsewhere on Thursday night, the Leigh Leopards delivered a solid performance against the Huddersfield Giants, winning 30‑16. Veteran winger Josh Charnley, celebrating his 400th appearance, crossed the line twice in the second half, bringing his Super League try total to 263 – just five shy of Ryan Hall’s all‑time record.
AJ Towse also contributed a brace of tries, while Innes Senior added another and Lachlan Lam was awarded a penalty try. Huddersfield’s scores came from Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai. The Giants remain joint‑bottom of the table, level with Toulouse on four points, while Leigh’s victory lifted them to eighth place. The results have significant implications for the league standings.
York’s win moves them out of the relegation zone and provides a morale boost after a difficult spell of form. Their defensive resilience, combined with a potent attacking display – highlighted by Galeano’s three tries – suggests they could consolidate their mid‑table position if they maintain consistency.
Toulouse, meanwhile, remain entrenched at the foot of the table, needing a dramatic turnaround to avoid the drop. Looking ahead, both York and Leigh will aim to build on these performances. York’s coaching staff will likely focus on tightening defensive lapses that allowed Toulouse to score twice, while continuing to exploit the speed and finishing ability of players like Galeano and Buchanan. For Leigh, the emphasis will be on sustaining the attacking fluency displayed against Huddersfield and ensuring that veteran players such as Charnley remain fit and productive as the season progresses.
Fans can follow the ongoing Super League action via Sky Sports, which continues to broadcast every match live throughout the season, offering exclusive live coverage of two fixtures each round and additional games throughout the week. The league also provides streaming options for supporters who prefer to watch without a traditional contract, ensuring broad accessibility for the growing rugby league audience.
Overall, Thursday’s fixtures delivered excitement, individual brilliance, and crucial points for teams fighting to climb the table. York’s commanding victory, powered by a memorable hat‑trick, and Leigh’s solid win against a struggling Giants side, both underscore the unpredictable and competitive nature of the Super League as the campaign enters its decisive phases.