Crossword Genius

Deception gutted Southall rowing team (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sleight

'deception' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'gutted southall rowing team' is the wordplay.
'gutted' suggests removing the centre (to gut something is to remove its insides).
'rowing team' becomes 'eight' (I've seen this in another clue).
'southall' with its middle removed is 'sl'.
'sl'+'eight'='SLEIGHT'

(Other definitions for sleight that I've seen before include "Tricky cunning" , "distraction?" , "It's deceiving to the eye" , "Manual dexterity" , "Hits leg (anag) - cunning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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