MULLION’S promotion chase took a big dent on Saturday as they suffered a 69 run defeat at home to Praze.

The hosts failed with the bat as they attempted to chase down their opponents score of 221-7 at Garro Lane in the Cornwall Cricket League Division Three West clash.

Having started the day in third place, the loss pushed Mullion down one spot in the table as Botallack and St Levan leapfrogged them following their win away at Mount Hawke.

With ten games left, Martin Hearn’s side now sit 18 points below the second promotion spot in the division, currently occupied by their opposition from Saturday.

Hearn had won the toss at the start of the day and elected to field with weather forecasts in the county suggesting rain would fall at some point, with overcast conditions suiting bowlers.

Proceedings started well for Mullion with opening batsman Ben James getting bowled for a duck by Charlie Hearn.

Praze’s other top order batters Tom James, who scored a century when the teams met on June 14, and Grant Rowe, who hit 82 in the previous meeting, did not contribute much to their cause either as they could only muster 15 and 18 respectively before being sent back to the pavilion by their counterparts.

Luckily for the visitors, number four bat Damian Lynes put in a determined effort as he chalked up 56 runs for his side before Jack Casley claimed his wicket, with James Pearson taking the catch.

Another half century was scored by team-mate Chris Prout, batting at number six, who scored 66 before being bowled, becoming Hearn’s second and last victim of the innings.

Sam James added a useful 26 towards the end of the innings before being given out LBW off Michael Cockings bowling off the last bowl of the allotted 48 overs, with the score on 221.

Casley picked up the best bowling figures for Mullion with figures of three for 46 off 12 overs.

Mullion have been in fairly decent form with the bat recently, but their response after tea did not reflect this.

None of the batsmen could put on a significant score during the innings and this would prove to be their downfall.

Only two of the host’s top seven made what could be described as decent starts before getting out.

Batting at three, Pearson scored 26 before he was bowled by Lynes.

Later on in the innings, Mark Hall made his way to 30, but then got dismissed in a run out.

Captain Hearn added some resolve to the total as he came in and scored 34 towards the end of the match, but ultimately his effort would be in vain as Praze bowled them out for 152 after 40.5 overs.

A trip to Barripper awaits Mullion on Saturday.