Kentish Town school losing opening game (9)

I believe the answer is:

tonbridge

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This might be a double definition.

'kentish town' is the first definition.
(Tonbridge is a market town in Kent)

'school losing opening game' is the second definition.
'tonbridge' can be an answer for 'school' (I have seen 'Public school' mean 'tonbridge' so perhaps 'school' could also mean 'tonbridge'). I'm not sure about the 'losing opening game' bit.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tonbridge that I've seen before include "Kentish Town" , "Town in Kent" , "Public school" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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