Out in front – went first (6)
I believe the answer is:
bowled
'out' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives can sometimes define each other.
'front went first' is the wordplay.
'front' becomes 'bow' (the bow is the front of a ship).
'went first' becomes 'led' (I've seen this in another clue).
'bow'+'led'='BOWLED'
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for bowled that I've seen is " Threw ball at cricket wicket".)