| CHURCHY | Pious companions hold up game before close of play (7) |
| WHISTLESTOP | Pause to speak, for fear that surgery will hold up game |
| HUGO | Victor possibly starts to hold up game (4) |
| NOTEDLY | Remarkably, central donors extend deadline before close of play (7) |
| ARMOURY | Arsenal need protective clothing before close of play (7) |
| TIMOTHY | He might hit Tom before close of play (7) |
| RIGHTLY | One side ahead of the other shortly before close of play, as it should be |
| RELIEVE | Release right priest before close of day (7) |
| RINGING | Outsider, before close of betting, is making a call (7) |
| BRIDGET | Girl getting a game before the end of August (7) |
| AMALGAM | Union's group of doctors left game before the end (7) |
| PACKAGEHOLIDAY | Forwards had goalie floundering before close of play - it's all in (7,7) |
| MISERLY | Early without a note on sale before close (7) |
| CURATOR | Keeper, Chelsea's No. 1, raised game before a right back seizes ball |
| NOTIFY | If in no end of doubt before close of play, declare! (6) |
| EQUITY | Fair play from English, somewhat reduced before close of play (6) |
| ANTIPATHY | Feeling of intense dislike against Patrick and Henry before close of play (9) |
| SHIFTY | Devious move before close of play (6) |
| TWENTY | Score with little time left before close of play (6) |
| OFFALY | In cricket side, get a half-century before close of play for county (6) |
