Breaks run, finishes... (5)
I believe the answer is:
rends
'breaks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'run finishes' is the wordplay.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'finishes' becomes 'ends' ('end' can be a synonym of 'finish').
'r'+'ends'='RENDS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rends that I've seen before include "Tears apart" , "Tears asunder" .)