Rope held by mate there (6)
I believe the answer is:
tether
'rope' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'held by mate there' is the wordplay.
'held by' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'TETHER' is hidden in the letters of 'mate there'.
(Other definitions for tether that I've seen before include "Range of one's endurance: tie up (horses)" , "Rope holding an animal" , "restrain boxers, say" , "Rope for tying animals" , "Rope restricting animal's movement" .)