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Leading side in cup round play away (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheat

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'play away' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'leading side in cup round' is the wordplay.
'leading side in cup' becomes 'c' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'round' becomes 'heat' (stage of a competition).
'c'+'heat'='CHEAT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cheat that I've seen before include "Rogue" , "Swindler - crib" , "Play false" , "Hoodwink" , "Act dishonestly to gain an advantage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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