Crossword Genius

Penetrates the defences right inside coastal strips (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breaches

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'strips' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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