JOHN Chaplin and Joss Room make star debuts for the HPH York Vale League division four leaders Melbourne.

The two new signings from Stamford Bridge helped Melbourne trounce Heworth II by 153 runs.

Chaplin hit 137 not out and pace bowler Room took 4-2, only to be eclipsed by Greg Nesbitt, whose amazing 4-1 included a hat-trick.

Malton and Old Malton opener Nick Salisbury hit an unbeaten 114 against but his side, with four wickets remaining, fell 21 runs short of Drax's 247-7.

Hemingbrough II carved a 40-point gap at the top of division five with a 136-run mauling of Selby II. Phillip Priestley led the way with 75 and Neil Thompson hit 46.

Thorpe Willoughby II kept up their interest in promotion by beating Burn II by 25 runs.

Two fours off the last two balls by Willy Rushton grabbed the points for Huntington against Carlton Towers, Sam Sollit hitting 76 and Darren Hosford 39.