Private places in clubs, protected by present distributor (6)

I believe the answer is:

sancta

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'private places' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'clubs protected by present distributor' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'protected by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'present distributor' becomes 'santa' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'c' put into 'santa' is 'SANCTA'.

'in' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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