It was third time lucky for Toulouse in the Grand Final, as they defeated York Knights to become the champions on Sunday...
Toulouse Olympique were crowned 2025 Betfred Championship Grand Final Winners on Sunday, after beating York Knights, 10-8, at the LNER Community Stadium.
The Knights were unable to complete a historic 2025 treble they had hoped for, as the French side scored five penalties to take home the victory and the silverware.
While it was heartbreak for the hosts as they fell at the final hurdle, this win sees Toulouse’s Grand Final curse finally lifted, after losing back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024.
It was a top-two clash that did not disappoint, and the French side had the first say and last say in Sunday’s final, with Joe Shorrocks knocking over the first of five penalties inside the opening ten minutes.
York responded immediately with Toa Mata’afa, who crashed over for the opening try in the 2025 Grand Final, and subsequently edged his side in front.
But a further two penalty goals from Shorrocks would see the visitors lead 6-4 at the break, after what was a fiery first forty minutes.
Similar to the first half, York struck again with another try, as an entertaining and physically intense ding-dong battle unfolded.
An overhead pass from Paul McShane found Kieran Buchanan out on the right edge, but any lead was soon short lived, and the scores were all square again as Shorrocks brought Toulouse back level with a fourth penalty goal.
The tight affair continued, before the half-back kept up his perfect record with the boot, and added another conversion to Toulouse’s tally.
This nudged his team in front for a third time in the contest, although this occasion would prove to be the most important, and the eventual match-winner.
The Knights rallied to make a last-ditch attempt, but with the clock quickly ticking down, they were unable to capitalise, and Sylvain Houles’ men held out to take the win.
A Grand Final won on goal-kicking alone.
Able to deny their opponents the treble, Toulouse were crowned the champions as a result of their superbly resilient showing; on what was a memorable afternoon for the club.
For York, their 20-game winning streak may have come to an end, but Mark Applegarth’s men have had a season to be proud of, with an AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and League Leaders’ Shield to their name.
York: Mata’afa, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Field, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Antrobus, Dee, Bailey, Thompson, Subs: Santi, Cook, Hudson, Clark
Tries: Mata’afa (12), Buchanan (51)
Goals: Harris (0/2)
Toulouse: Ashall-Bott, Marcon, Tropis, Rennie, Ulberg, Lacans, Shorrocks, Belmas, Hands, Butler, Stefani, Jussaume, Marion
Subs: Cator, Roumanos, Bretherton, Wallace
Goals: Shorrocks (5/5)
Half-time: 4-6
Full-time: 8-10
