Super League: Scott Galeano scores hat-trick as York beat Toulouse while Leigh win against Huddersfield Giants

York battled past fellow strugglers Toulouse 38-14 with a hat-trick from Scott Galeano at the LNER Community Stadium to close out a third Betfred Super League win.

The Knights - who had lost their previous five games in all competitions - took an early lead when Paul Vaughan, celebrating his 35th birthday, barged in under the posts, before another try in the corner was ruled out for the ball not being grounded.

York, though, soon went over again as Vaughan got his second of the evening, with Cody Hunter converting to put the home side 12-0 up after 20 minutes.

Thomas Lacans showed quick feet to cut back inside and get Toulouse on the board just after the half-hour, but Australian winger Galeano dived in down the right corner as York went into half-time with a lead of 18-6.

York moved further ahead after 55 minutes when Jesse Dee chased a kick and hooked the ball back as he was bundled out into the advertising boards, leaving Galeano presented with the easiest of groundings.

Another try from Kieran Buchanan put York firmly in control before Hunter slotted over a penalty to make it 32-6 just after the hour mark.

Toulouse - who had started bottom of the table below the Knights on points difference - scored a second try in the 66th minute as Henry O'Kane showed great strength to get the ball down when being held up by a couple of York players.

York finished strongly as Galeano completed his hat-trick with eight minutes left, before Toulouse got a late consolation when Mathieu Jussaume burst through as the French side slipped to a seventh league defeat.

Elsewhere on Thursday night Josh Charnley's two second-half tries helped Leigh Leopards to a 30-16 victory over Huddersfield Giants.

Charnley marked his 400th appearance by scoring twice to increase his Super League try tally to 263, leaving him within five of Ryan Hall's record.

AJ Towse also contributed two tries on the night, alongside one from Innes Senior and a penalty try via Lachlan Lam.

Huddersfield's tries came courtesy of Adam Swift, Taane Milne and Jacob Gagai.

Giants remain joint-bottom of the table level with Toulouse on four points, while Leigh rise to eighth.