St Helens coach Royce Simmons admitted his 51st birthday would definitely live long in the memory after Saints blew their chance to top the Super League table by drawing 24-24 with Hull on Monday.

The former Penrith hooker headed into the clash knowing a win would see Saints go one point clear at the top of the ladder.

Having trailed 18-4 at the interval Simmons' side looked to have given him the perfect present when former Penrith star Tony Puletua's try rounded off a stirring second-half comeback and gave them a 22-18 lead.

However the Whites hit back with the third of Kirk Yeaman's hat-trick of tries and Saints needed a 76th-minute Jamie Foster penalty to rescue a point, ending what Simmons admitted was a topsy-turvy day on a high.

"I'll come away happy with a point in the end especially with where we were at half-time," said Simmons - whose side now sit in third place, level on points with leaders Warrington.

"I said to the lads that I thought we could still win it at halftime if we just got our ball control right.

"If you'd offered me a point from where we were at half-time I'd have definitely taken it. We got a bit tired towards the end and that cost us.

"But that was always going to happen with the way we played in the first half and we made it difficult for ourselves."

Wigan coach Michael Maguire admitted his delight at not having to face Sam Tomkins after the England fullback produced a masterclass as the Warriors thrashed Crusaders.

Tomkins crossed for two scores in an eight-try 48-18 thrashing with Thomas Leuluai also on the scoresheet.

And after witnessing Tomkins' rampaging display Maguire - who will take over at South Sydney at the end of the season - was in no doubt as to which dressing room he prefers the 22-year-old to be in.

"I thought our front row were the ones who put their hands up and gave us the hard metres today," said Maguire.

"I'm glad Sam is on our team. He works hard week in and week out and the team really enjoy playing in the same side as him. It is great to have him but we have a lot of quality among the team."

Elsewhere, England skipper Jamie Peacock returned from an eight-month injury lay-off to help Leeds demolish Castleford 48-6 - then admitted his delight at being back in action.

Peacock was returning to the scene of his ruptured knee ligaments for the Castleford clash and quickly settled in, making a try for Danny McGuire, one of eight Leeds scores, in the second half.

"It was great to have a good involvement in the game," said Peacock, who ruptured knee ligaments at this ground last August.

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