| INSTORE | Coming on, tries to be inventive (2,5) |
| COINAPHRASE | To be inventive with words? (4,1,6) |
| DRESSREHEARSAL | Dry run put on tries to have genuine bearing (5,9) |
| LOOKSFOR | Expects, when on tries to find (5,3) |
| PUNSTER | Putting rents up, maybe, he tries to be funny |
| REALIST | Capone tries to be a practical person (7) |
| SOLOIST | In Kelso, Lois tries to be concert star (7) |
| HOUSMAN | 'A Shropshire Lad' writer who tries to be so human (7) |
| VALIANT | Taking a vital part in the festival, Ian tries to be brave (7) |
| RETRACT | Soldiers coming on to extended area pull back |
| ORATION | After a trio performs, coming on to make a speech |
| TURNOUT | Word for a getting out of bed; a call to duty; a coming on shift or attendance at work; an assemblage or muster generally; get-up; or, the manner in which one is arrayed or equipped (7) |
| WILLYOU | Question traditionally coming on bended knee (4,3,5,2) |
| ARRIVAL | Report of a competitor coming on the scene |
| NEWLIFE | Eggy symbolism, when you feel a win coming on (3,4) |
| INTERIM | Temporary Head of IT coming on board during semester |
| DRAWONONESIMAGINATION | Be inventive in approach to wise men, the people to stop horrible noise |
| ATTEMPTS | After a time, leads on tries (8) |
| REGISTERED | Having signed on, tries greed out |
| LIE | Be inventive, perhaps |
