| LASTHURRAH | Final effort or performance (4,6) |
| LASTRESORT | Arrest lots of characters in final effort (4,6) |
| RECOMPENSE | Reward for effort or work |
| LASTGASP | Like a desperate final effort |
| LASTDITCH | Stitch lad as final effort (4-5) |
| SWANSONG | 10's offspring boarding vacant swing for a final effort (4,4) |
| HOMESTRAIGHT | Laps up competitors' final efforts here |
| DEBUT | An actor or musician's first public appearance or performance; or, the presentation of an upper-class young woman into fashionable society (5) |
| ATTEMPT | Word for an endeavour to summit a mountain or to surpass a record; or, an effort or try generally (7) |
| TRY | An attempt, effort or experiment; or, since the 1840s, a word for the touchdown of a rugby ball or for the points subsequently scored (3) |
| BEST | A superlative of "good"; one's smartest attire; a person's utmost effort or endeavour; a winning majority; a personal record or PB; or, a casual expression of one's regards (4) |
| SPECTACLE | A showy or ceremonial public display or performance (9) |
| PROCURE | Obtain or get by effort or special means (7) |
| BENEFIT | A match or performance whose proceeds usually go to a player or cause (7) |
| PREMIERE | A first showing or performance of a film or play (8) |
| DAMPSQUIB | An event or performance that fails to be as interesting or impressive as expected (4,5) |
| FINESSE | Delicacy and elegant skill in style or performance; subtlety and tact in handling/manipulating situations; or, a technique to win a trick in bridge (7) |
| RECORDS | The sum of the past achievements or performance of a person or body (7) |
| CATCALLS | Shrill whistles or cries showing disapproval at a public meeting or performance (8) |
| DRAMA | An elaborate fuss or "to do" - from Shakespearean tragedy and theatre of justice scene to a friend's histrionic song and dance or performance in the style of Edmund Kean (5) |
