Crossword Genius

The last to be involved in a desperate fight? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ditch

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a desperate fight?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'the last to be involved' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dich' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ditch that I've seen before include "Type of trench" , "Moat" , "Narrow channel" , "Drainage trench" , "Jettison" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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