| NEEDLEMATCH | A closely fought contest (6,5) |
| DINGDONGBATTLE | Closely-fought contest |
| RECOUNT | Tell the likely outcome of a closely fought election? |
| TIE | In the event I expected a closely fought game (3) |
| HEDGELAYING | Method of training a closely planted row of shrubs to form an effective barrier (5,6) |
| SLUGFEST | A hard-fought contest, especially in boxing (8) |
| CLOSERUNTHING | Tightly-fought contest (5-3,5) |
| GREEN | Communal grassy area at the centre of a village; a closely-mown plot for bowls; or, a colour with shades including mint and sage (5) |
| SATIN | A closely-woven silk with a lustrous surface (5) |
| UPTIGHT | Competition first off closely fought and in a tense state? (7) |
| TIGHT | Closely fought game with high tension (5) |
| NEEDLE | Closely fought knitting competition? (6-5) |
| DING | ___-dong, closely fought (4) |
| MATCH | and 7ac, Closely fought knitting competition? (6,5) |
| MARGINAL | Alarming result in closely fought seat |
| CLOSERACE | Keenly fought contest in which 100 don't win (5,4) |
| VELVET | A closely-woven fabric of silk, cotton, etc., with a thick, short pile on one side |
| SATINET | Took part in discussion of a sci-fi film, wearing a closely woven silk (7) |
| BROS | Abbr. in a closely held business |
| SMOOTH | Like a closely-shaven cheek |
