Crossword Genius

Hate having only half a side for a match (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

detest

'hate' is the definition.
(to detest is to hate or loathe)

'only half a side for a match' is the wordplay.
'only half' indicates taking half.
'for' says to put letters next to each other.
'a match' becomes 'test' (as in a test match in cricket).
'side' with half the letters taken is 'de'.
'de'+'test'='DETEST'

'having' is the link.

(Other definitions for detest that I've seen before include "Cordially dislike and loathe" , "Greatly hate" , "Loathe, hate intensely" , "Find repulsive" , "Cordially laothe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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