Competitive games on the rise, leading to fits of bad temper (6)
I believe the answer is:
strops
'fits of bad temper' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'competitive games on the rise' is the wordplay.
'competitive games' becomes 'sports' (I've seen this before).
'on the rise' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'sports' backwards is 'STROPS'.
'leading to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strops that I've seen before include "Leather straps to sharpen razors" , "temper tantrums" , "bits of leather" , "Strips of leather to sharpen razors" , "Leather razor sharpeners" .)