Crossword Genius

Girl gives the first mate a nil return (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

evelina

'girl' is the definition.

'the first mate a nil return' is the wordplay.
'the first mate' becomes 'eve' (I've seen this in another clue).
'return' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'a'+'nil'='anil'
'anil' in reverse letter order is 'lina'.
'eve'+'lina'='EVELINA'

'gives' acts as a link.

(Another definition for evelina that I've seen is " girl".)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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