Recalled group taking control of pub game (6)
I believe the answer is:
tennis
'game' is the definition.
(tennis is a game)
'recalled group taking control of pub' is the wordplay.
'recalled' says the letters should be written in reverse (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'group' becomes 'set' (both can mean a collection).
'taking control of' indicates putting letters inside.
'pub' becomes 'inn' (an inn is a type of pub).
'set' enclosing 'inn' is 'sinnet'.
'sinnet' written backwards gives 'TENNIS'.
(Other definitions for tennis that I've seen before include "Sent in strangely to play the game" , "Racquet sport" , "Game played with racket and ball" , "Ball game with a net" , "Game of the Williams sisters and of Roger Federer" .)