Crossword Genius

Catches taken rather awkwardly, possibly surprise beginners (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

traps

'catches' is the definition.
(trapping is a kind of catching)

'taken rather awkwardly possibly surprise beginners' is the wordplay.
'beginners' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'taken rather awkwardly possibly surprise' is 'TRAPS'.

(Other definitions for traps that I've seen before include "gins" , "jazz percussion?" , "tricks" , "bunkers" , "Ambushes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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