Crossword Genius

Baker runs away, finished before noon (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oven

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'baker' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'runs away finished before noon' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'away' suggests deleting specific letters.
'finished' becomes 'over' (over can mean finished or ended).
'before noon' becomes 'n' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'over' with 'r' taken out is 'ove'.
'ove'+'n'='OVEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oven that I've seen before include "Place for burning" , "Kitchen appliance" , "Part of a cooker" , "You can cook in this" , "kitchen item" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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